By Mitch Bannon, Fabian Ardaya and Tyler Kepner
TORONTO — With a nine-run sixth inning and the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, the Toronto Blue Jays toppled the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 in Friday’s Game 1. The Jays capitalized on the Dodgers’ weak middle relief after chasing starter Blake Snell in the sixth inning to bust open a massive lead.
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Blue Jays’ first-inning failure paid off in the end
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. took off his helmet and wiped away sweat as he stood on third base. The droplets had plenty of time to collect, as Guerrero stood on base in the bottom of the first inning. The Jays sent six players to the plate in the opening frame, ultimately stranding the bases loaded with a Daulton Varsho flyout.
That early chance slipped away. The building slouched. Against a Dodgers rotation that allowed just two earned runs in the NLCS, it felt like an opportunity the Jays may not get again.
But that first inning led to more. A visibly frustrated Snell left the mound after throwing 29 pitches in the opening frame.
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