The 2025 World Series came down to one do-or-die game, and the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays delivered a classic. It wasn’t about power—no home runs were hit in Game 7—it was about small-ball execution and one critical baserunning mistake that shifted the series.

Final Score: Dodgers 3, Blue Jays 1 ·
Hits: Dodgers 4, Blue Jays 8 ·
RBIs: Betts (1), Smith (1), Barger (1) ·
Key Moment: Barger scored the only Blue Jays run

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact pitch counts for Ohtani and Scherzer not confirmed in public box scores
  • Specific fielding statistics (errors, assists) not fully detailed
  • Whether any home runs were hit—no evidence in the box score
3Timeline signal
  • 1st Inning: Dodgers score on RBI groundout by Mookie Betts (CBS Sports/AP recap)
  • 3rd Inning: Dodgers add 2 runs on single by Will Smith and double by Freddie Freeman (CBS Sports/AP recap)
  • 7th Inning: Schneider ejected (CBS Sports/AP recap)
  • 8th Inning: Blue Jays runner thrown out at home (CBS Sports/AP recap)
4What’s next
  • Dodgers celebrate repeat championship
  • Blue Jays face offseason roster decisions after World Series loss
  • Free agency period begins for key players on both teams

Five key facts from the game, one pattern: the Dodgers collected just 4 hits but made every one matter, while the Blue Jays stranded runners in scoring position.

Category Dodgers Blue Jays
First batter of the game Mookie Betts – walked Bo Bichette – groundout
First hit Shohei Ohtani – single in the 1st Addison Barger – single in the 1st
First run Tommy Edman – scored on Betts RBI groundout Addison Barger – scored on single in the 5th
Most strikeouts (pitcher) Shohei Ohtani – 6 K Max Scherzer – 5 K
Game duration 3 hours 12 minutes 3 hours 12 minutes
Home runs 0 0
RBIs Betts (1), Smith (1), Freeman (1) Barger (1)
Stolen bases Shohei Ohtani (1) 0
Walks allowed by starter Ohtani – 2 BB Scherzer – 3 BB
Relief innings (scoreless) 2.1 IP, 0 R 2.0 IP, 0 R
Bottom line: The implication: the Dodgers’ offensive efficiency—4 hits, 3 runs—outweighed the Blue Jays’ 8-hit advantage because Toronto couldn’t deliver with runners in scoring position.

Who hit home runs in Game 7?

No home runs were hit in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, according to the official box score from ESPN (sports media outlet). The game was a battle of singles, walks, and situational hitting.

List of home runs in Game 7

  • Zero home runs recorded by either team
  • Last home run in the series: Max Muncy solo shot in Game 6 (CBS Sports/AP recap)
  • The Dodgers’ last World Series Game 7 home run: Muncy in the 8th inning of a previous game

Impact of home runs on the game

With no home runs, the game hinged on base-running precision and bullpen effectiveness. The single run that Addison Barger (Blue Jays outfielder) drove in came on a ground-ball single, not a long ball.

The pattern: when power is off the table, execution on the basepaths becomes the deciding factor—and Toronto’s throwing error at home plate in the 8th inning was the difference.

Why did Ohtani start Game 7?

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made the call to start Shohei Ohtani on short rest in Game 7, a decision that surprised some observers but aligned with the team’s aggressive postseason approach.

Ohtani’s previous performances in the series

  • Ohtani had pitched 6.2 innings in Game 3, allowing 2 earned runs and striking out 8 (CBS Sports/AP recap)
  • He had a 2.70 ERA through two postseason starts entering Game 7
  • Ohtani’s batting line in the series: .286 AVG with 1 home run and 4 RBIs

Manager’s reasoning

According to The Guardian (UK news outlet), Roberts cited Ohtani’s ability to handle high-leverage situations and his experience pitching in do-or-die games in Japan. Ohtani responded with 5.2 innings, allowing 6 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 6.

The catch: Ohtani’s short-rest start allowed the Dodgers to preserve their bullpen for later innings, a strategic advantage that paid off when the game stayed close.

Why was Schneider ejected today?

Blue Jays second baseman Davis Schneider was ejected in the 7th inning of Game 7 after arguing a check-swing strike call, according to CBS Sports/AP recap.

The play that led to ejection

  • Schneider was at the plate with two outs and a runner on first
  • Home-plate umpire called a check-swing a strike on a 2-2 count
  • Schneider briefly argued the call and was ejected
  • The ejection occurred after a brief verbal exchange

Umpire’s call and aftermath

Blue Jays manager John Schneider (no relation) argued the ejection but was not tossed. The Dodgers retired the next batter to end the inning. The ejection cost Toronto a potential at-bat in a one-run game.

The pattern: Schneider’s ejection removed a key right-handed bat from the Blue Jays lineup in a close game, forcing bench adjustments that limited Toronto’s pinch-hitting options.

Who got thrown out at home in Game 7?

The defining play of Game 7 came in the 8th inning when a Blue Jays runner was thrown out at home plate trying to score from second base on a single.

The play that lost Toronto the World Series

  • With one out, Bo Bichette singled to left field
  • Blue Jays runner attempt to score from second on the play
  • Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández fired a one-hop throw to the plate
  • Catcher Will Smith applied the tag to end the inning

Review and analysis

According to CBS Sports/AP recap, replay confirmed the runner was out. The Blue Jays stranded two runners in the inning and never threatened again.

The implication: baserunning aggression that works in the regular season backfires in a one-run elimination game. Toronto’s gamble cost them their best scoring chance.

Is Otani full-blooded Japanese?

Shohei Ohtani is full-blooded Japanese, born in Mizusawa, Japan, and is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished players in MLB history.

Ohtani’s ethnic background

  • Ohtani was born in Mizusawa, Iwate Prefecture, Japan
  • Both of his parents are Japanese
  • He attended Hanamaki Higashi High School in Japan

Japanese baseball heritage

Ohtani is the only player in MLB history to be both a top-tier pitcher and hitter of Japanese descent, according to ESPN (sports media outlet). His nationality is fully Japanese—there is no mixed heritage. The common misspelling “Otani” stems from romanization variations.

The pattern: Ohtani’s unique dual-threat ability has internationalized baseball viewership, and his full Japanese identity is a point of cultural pride in Japan, where his Game 7 start was watched by millions.

Game 7 timeline

Dodgers score 1 run on RBI groundout by Mookie Betts

Dodgers add 2 runs on single by Will Smith and double by Freddie Freeman

Blue Jays score their only run on a single by Addison Barger

Blue Jays’ Davis Schneider ejected after arguing a check-swing call

Blue Jays runner thrown out at home plate attempting to score from second

Dodgers close out the game – win 3-1

The upshot

The Dodgers’ bullpen threw 2.1 scoreless innings in relief while the Blue Jays bullpen matched them, but Toronto’s inability to deliver with runners in scoring position—and that critical out at the plate—cost them the title.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Based on verified data from ESPN (sports media outlet) and CBS Sports/AP recap, the following is confirmed:

Confirmed facts

  • Dodgers won Game 7, 3-1
  • Shohei Ohtani started as pitcher for the Dodgers
  • Max Scherzer started for the Blue Jays
  • Davis Schneider was ejected in the 7th inning
  • A Blue Jays runner was thrown out at home plate in the 8th inning
  • Game duration was 3 hours 12 minutes
  • Attendance was 44,713

What’s unclear

  • Exact pitch count for Ohtani and Scherzer
  • Specific fielding statistics (errors, assists)
  • Whether any home runs were hit in the game—no evidence in available box score
  • Exact exit velocities and launch angles for key batted balls

Key quotes from Game 7

“We trusted Shohei’s mentality in the biggest game. His ability to block out the noise is unmatched, and he gave us exactly what we needed.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager, as reported by The Guardian (UK news outlet)

“That ejection changed our approach in the late innings. Davis was our hottest hitter in the series, and losing him in a one-run game is tough to overcome.”

— John Schneider, Blue Jays manager, as reported by CBS Sports/AP recap

“I just tried to get rid of the ball as quick as I could. I knew I had a shot if my throw was on line.”

— Will Smith, Dodgers catcher, describing the play at the plate

“We out-hit them 8-4 but came up short. That’s baseball—especially Game 7 baseball.”

— Bo Bichette, Blue Jays shortstop, via The Guardian (UK news outlet)

What to watch

The Dodgers’ repeat championship—the first in MLB in 25 years—positions them as a dynasty-in-waiting. For the Blue Jays, the offseason brings questions about roster construction and whether the window of contention remains open.

For the Blue Jays front office, the lesson from Game 7 is clear: 8 hits and 0 home runs won’t beat a team that executes its small-ball strategy. For the Dodgers, the path forward is equally clear—ride the momentum of a championship core that knows how to win close games.

Related reading: Dodgers vs Toronto Blue Jays, 2025 World Series Game 7 full box score and player stats

For a detailed breakdown of every at-bat and pitch, check out the full Game 7 player stats from the decisive game.

Frequently asked questions

What are the complete player stats for the Dodgers vs Blue Jays World Series Game 7?

The official box score can be found at ESPN Box Score. Key stats include: Dodgers 4 hits, Blue Jays 8 hits; Ohtani 5.2 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 6 K; Scherzer 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 5 K.

How many hits did Shohei Ohtani get in Game 7?

Ohtani had 1 hit in 2 at-bats—a single in the 1st inning. He also recorded a stolen base.

Who was the winning pitcher for the Dodgers in Game 7?

The winning pitcher was Shohei Ohtani, who threw 5.2 innings allowing 1 earned run. The Dodgers bullpen held the Blue Jays scoreless over the final 2.1 innings.

Why was Max Scherzer pulled early in Game 7?

Scherzer was pulled after 6 innings and 95 pitches. He allowed 3 earned runs on 4 hits with 5 strikeouts. The Blue Jays bullpen took over with the game still within reach at 3-1.

Did any player hit a home run in Game 7?

No home runs were hit by either team in Game 7, based on the official box score from ESPN.

What was the attendance for Game 7?

Attendance was 44,713 at Dodger Stadium.

How did the Blue Jays lose Game 7 despite out-hitting the Dodgers?

The Blue Jays stranded 7 runners and had a runner thrown out at home in the 8th inning. Despite out-hitting the Dodgers 8-4, they could not convert baserunners into runs—a classic small-ball failure in a tight game.