Blue Jays Fall Short in Heartbreaking Game 7 Loss to Dodgers

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays’ clubhouse was silent except for the sound of stifled tears and breaking voices. On one side, third baseman Ernie Clement fought to stay composed as he addressed reporters. Across the room, pitcher Max Scherzer wiped away tears. In another corner, closer Jeff Hoffman spoke softly, his voice cracking under the weight of regret.

“It sucks,” Hoffman said after the Dodgers’ 5–4, 11-inning victory in Game 7 of the World Series. “It was supposed to end differently. One pitch — that’s all it took. I cost everybody here a World Series ring.”

Hoffman was two outs from closing out the franchise’s first championship since 1993 when Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas launched a game-tying home run on a full-count slider. Two innings later, catcher Will Smith homered off Shane Bieber, giving Los Angeles its first lead and the title-clinching margin.

“Hung a slider to a great hitter,” Bieber admitted. “He was looking for it. I didn’t execute. This one’s going to sting for a while.”

1. A Veteran’s Pain and a Team’s Bond

For Scherzer, the loss cut deeper than most. The 41-year-old veteran, who pitched 4⅓ strong innings and left to a standing ovation, fought back tears as he spoke about the bond within the team. “I’m 41 years old and never thought I could love baseball this much,” Scherzer said. “This team — the passion, the camaraderie, the care — that’s what made it so hard. We loved playing for each other.” Scherzer exited with a 3–1 lead after Bo Bichette’s three-run homer in the third inning gave Toronto early momentum. Like Scherzer, Bichette will enter free agency this offseason, but the shortstop brushed off questions about his future. “I want to be here,” he said, “but I just lost a Game 7. That’s all I’m thinking about right now.” The Blue Jays held the lead until the ninth, when Rojas’ blast silenced a crowd that had been on its feet for most of the night. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. nearly rekindled hope with a deep fly to center in the bottom half, but even he knew it wouldn’t leave the park. “I knew it wasn’t going anywhere,” Guerrero said. “Still, I’m proud of every guy in this room.”

2. Pride Amid Pain

When the final out landed in Freddie Freeman’s glove, many Blue Jays lingered on the field — some staring into the stands, others consoling one another. Guerrero made a point to visit each locker after the game. “I told everyone how proud I was,” he said. “We fought all year. I can’t be prouder of what we accomplished.” Manager John Schneider echoed that message in his first full team meeting of the season — one held in the most painful moment of all. “I said thank you,” Schneider told reporters. “Probably ten times. That was the message — just thank you.” For Clement, the heartbreak was especially heavy. He set a postseason record with 30 hits but fell one swing short of immortality when his ninth-inning drive with the bases loaded was caught at the wall by Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages. “We gave it everything we had,” Clement said. “You can’t ask for more than that.” Clement stood by his teammates, especially Hoffman and Bieber. “I’d go to war with those guys every day of the week,” he said. “Ninety-nine times out of 100, they get it done. Tonight just wasn’t our night.”

3. A Season to Remember

Though the ending was crushing, the Blue Jays’ 2025 campaign marked a dramatic turnaround. After finishing last in the AL East a year ago, Toronto won the division and fought its way to the World Series, pushing one of baseball’s most dominant teams to the brink. “Everyone’s devastated,” pitcher Kevin Gausman said. “But we’re a really good team. It took them being nearly perfect to beat us, and that’s what happened.” Bieber, who joined the team in midseason, said the unity inside the clubhouse made this run special. “This group is unlike any other I’ve been part of,” he said. “We’ll remember that even through the pain.” For a city that had rediscovered its love for baseball, the night ended in heartbreak — but also in pride. A season once defined by revival and resilience closed one inning short of glory.