LOS ANGELES — In a thrilling Game 3 of the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 after 18 innings at Dodger Stadium. Freddie Freeman's home run to center field in the bottom of the 18th inning sealed the victory, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. This game, which lasted 6 hours and 39 minutes, matched the record for the longest game by innings in postseason history.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised the game, stating, "That could go down as one of the greatest games of all time." Freeman's homer came off left-hander Brendon Little's full-count sinker, traveling 406 feet. "Oh gosh, just pure excitement," Freeman said. "That’s as good as it gets."

This was not the first time the Dodgers played an 18-inning World Series game; they did so seven years ago against the Boston Red Sox, where Max Muncy hit the winning homer. Freeman's latest walk-off was his second in two years, having previously hit a grand slam to win Game 1 last season against the New York Yankees.

Will Klein, the last remaining reliever for the Dodgers, earned the win after pitching four shutout innings, allowing just one hit and throwing 72 pitches. "We weren’t losing that game," Klein said. "I had to keep going back out there." Klein's performance was crucial as he worked through tense moments, including a bases-loaded situation in the 12th inning, where three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw also made an appearance.

The game featured a total of 19 pitchers, with 10 from the Dodgers, who collectively threw 609 pitches. The contest concluded at 11:50 p.m. on the West Coast. Blue Jays manager John Schneider reminded everyone, "The Dodgers didn’t win a World Series today. They won a game."

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays remained focused during the lengthy game, snacking on apples in the dugout. "We tried. We did everything we could. They did the same thing," Guerrero said through a translator. "But in the end, they came away with the victory."

The crowd of 52,654 was electric, with many fans remaining on their feet throughout the game, including Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax. The temperature dropped as the game progressed, but the excitement remained high. Shohei Ohtani, who hit two home runs and doubled twice, tied the game at 5-all in the seventh inning. He also made history by reaching base safely nine times, a feat not accomplished in 83 years.

Ohtani expressed his focus on the next game, saying, "What matters the most is we won. What matters the most is we flip the page and play the next game. I want to go to sleep as soon as possible so I can get ready."

The game saw multiple lead changes, with the Dodgers initially taking a 2-0 lead thanks to home runs from Teoscar Hernández and Ohtani. However, the Blue Jays rallied to take a 4-2 lead in the fourth inning, highlighted by Alejandro Kirk's three-run homer. The Dodgers managed to tie the game at 4 in the fifth inning, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.

As the series continues, the Dodgers will look to capitalize on their momentum in Game 4, where Toronto's Shane Bieber is set to make his first World Series start. Ohtani, who had a standout performance in the previous series, is also scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers.