Barger's Pinch-Hit Grand Slam Lifts Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays routed defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 in Game 1 at Rogers Centre, capped by Addison Barger's pinch-hit grand slam — the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history — as part of a nine-run sixth inning. The game was tied 2-2 before Toronto's big sixth. Dodgers starter Blake Snell labored with command, allowing five runs in five innings and was removed after hitting Daulton Varsho to load the bases, and L.A.'s bullpen surrendered additional runs that Toronto aggressively attacked. Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run homer late and was booed by the Toronto crowd, but it wasn't enough. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday with Yoshinobu Yamamoto set to start for Los Angeles against Toronto's Kevin Gausman; Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised the team's depth and the bench's decisive role in the inning.