(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Blue Jays Edge Dodgers 5-4 After Late-Game Drama
Shohei Ohtani opened Sunday’s game in style with his 41st home run of the season, but it was Ernie Clement’s clutch ninth-inning blast that powered the American League-leading Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, avoiding a series sweep.
In a tense finish, rookie Mason Fluharty recorded his first career save in remarkable fashion. Called in to replace an erratic Jeff Hoffman with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth, Fluharty struck out Ohtani on a full-count breaking ball before forcing Mookie Betts into a game-ending groundout.
Toronto’s late surge began in the eighth inning when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a game-tying home run, followed by Addison Barger’s go-ahead shot off struggling Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen. Clement then added insurance in the ninth by sending the first pitch from Alex Vesia (2-2) deep into the left-field stands.
Hoffman (7-4) struggled with control, walking Freddie Freeman with the bases loaded to surrender the lead in the eighth, then issuing three walks in the ninth before being replaced.
Ohtani’s early 400-foot homer — his third in four games — tied him with Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber for the National League lead. Despite the strong start, the Dodgers couldn’t hold off Toronto’s late comeback.
