Andrés Giménez singles off a pitch from Anthony Banda in the seventh inning of Game 4. (Ben Nelms/CBC)The LatestThe Toronto Blue Jays have built a strong lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in tonight’s game.The visiting picked up serious steam in the seventh inning, scoring four runs in short order to make it 6-1.It was the frame Toronto had been chasing since their blowout 11-4 victory back in Game 1.The Jays are fighting to even the championship at two wins apiece, which would also guarantee the series heads back home.UpdatesOctober 295 minutes agoBassitt with 2 huge inningsMyles DichterPitching on back-to-back days for the first time in his career, Bassitt faced the minimum through two innings in the seventh and eighth, preventing the Dodgers from even sniffing a comeback.Cameras caught him shaking Schneider’s hand in the bullpen, which typically indicates the end of an outing.For the ninth, it appears post-season workhorse Louis Varland will get the ball.If he gets through that last inning, closer Jeff Hoffman could benefit from a full day of rest ahead of Game 5 tomorrow.6 minutes agoGuerrero starts the 9th with leadoff singleGeoff NixonBlue Jays slugger Guerrero was first up for Toronto in the top of the ninth.He hit a leadoff single, via a line drive to right field.9 minutes agoBassitt gets Jays through 8thGeoff NixonBassitt throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning in Game 4. (Brynn Anderson/The Associated Press)Bassitt was back on the mound for Toronto in the eighth inning.Freeman came to bat with the crowd roaring at Dodger Stadium. But Bassitt struck him out on three pitches.Smith was up next for the Dodgers, but hit into a double play to end the eighth.15 minutes agoJays can’t add to lead in 8thGeoff NixonKiner-Falefa at bat in the eighth inning. (Ben Nelms/CBC)Kiner-Falefa came to bat in the bottom of the eighth, with two runners aboard and one out. He hit a ground ball to shortstop, moving the runners to second and third with two out.Myles Straw came up to bat after entering the game in the seventh as a defensive substitution for France. But Straw struck out, and Jays weren’t able to cash in any runs at the end of the eighth.18 minutes agoA classic Blue Jays rallyMyles DichterAndrés Giménez singles off a pitch from Anthony Banda in the seventh inning of Game 4. (Ben Nelms/CBC)Back to the seventh for a second, because if that inning didn’t scream 2025 Blue Jays, I don’t know what would.Nine batters came to the plate, four drove in runs and it all started with the bottom half of the order setting the table for the slugger at the top.All told, it was another crooked number for a team that seems to put those up with regularity.And don’t forget the broader context of having to flush last night’s heart-breaking loss and reset for this game less than 18 hours later.19 minutes agoJays put 2 aboard, with 1 out in 8thGeoff NixonThe Dodgers sent Jack Dreyer in to pitch the top of the eighth.He got a pop out from Varsho to get his first out.Then Clement returned to the plate and battled to hit an infield single.Dreyer then hit the next batter, Giménez, putting runners on first and second with one out.25 minutes agoBassitt adapting swimmingly to relief roleMyles DichterHe hadn’t pitched in relief in years. Now, Chris Bassitt is among the Jays’ most trusted relievers — and he just completed another pressure inning, including an Ohtani groundout.Bassitt looked particularly strong in outings in Game 7 of the ALCS as well as Game 3 of the World Series.A starter by trade, he hasn’t pitched on back-to-back days all year. But Schneider likes to say Bassitt “does weird well,” and now he’s done just that.25 minutes agoBassitt sails through 7thGeoff NixonThe Jays brought in Chris Bassitt to start the bottom of the seventh. He’s among the nine Blue Jays pitchers who took the mound in last night’s marathon Game 3.Enrique Hernández hit a bouncing ball to shortstop Giménez, who made the play at first, to give Bassitt his first out.Pages followed Hernández to the plate. But the Dodgers brought in Alex Call to pinch hit for him. And Bassitt struck him out, bringing Ohtani to the plate.Ohtani grounded out to end the seventh, with the Jays’ 6-1 lead intact.28 minutes agoHow does Schneider navigate the final 3 innings?Myles DichterJohn Schneider runs to the dugout during the sixth inning. (Ashley Landis/The Associated Press)Assuming the Blue Jays’ lead remains in place, let’s pencil in closer Jeff Hoffman for the ninth despite a heavy workload last night.That leaves six outs to get, with Ohtani due up third in the seventh inning.Louis Varland, a post-season workhorse, has already been up in the bullpen, along with converted starter Chris Bassitt, who will be first up.Ideally, there’d be a lefty who could face Ohtani and Freeman around Betts. But with a cushion, Schneider seems comfortable going with a trusted righty instead.31 minutes agoKirk can’t add to Jays’ four-run 7thGeoff NixonKirk got to the plate with two out and runners on first and second.He hit a line drive to outfielder Teoscar Hernández in right field, to end the inning.But the Jays added four welcome runs to their lead in the seventh.
Toronto Blue Jays lead Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1 in Game 4 of the World Series
