Blue Jays Continue Walking Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani produced a historic Game 3, going 4-for-4 with two homers, two doubles and five walks to become the first player in 83 years to reach base nine times in a game. After Ohtani’s early damage, the Toronto Blue Jays repeatedly issued intentional walks — four consecutive beginning in the ninth and another in the 17th — and manager John Schneider said the team will continue taking Ohtani’s bat out of play. That tactic forced pitchers to face Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman with runners on but could not prevent Freddie Freeman’s walk-off 18th-inning homer as the Dodgers won 6-5. Ohtani is scheduled to start Game 4 on the mound, giving the Dodgers a chance to push for a 3-1 series lead while Toronto must win to extend the World Series. Toronto’s bullpen largely navigated the traffic created by the intentional walks, and George Springer was removed during the game after fouling a pitch.