Dodgers fend off comeback attempts from the Jays

Apr 7, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images It wasn’t always easy, but the Dodgers took an early lead and never relinquished it, beating the Jays 4-1. For the third time in a row, following in the footsteps of their two games versus Kevin Gausman in last year’s World Series, the Dodgers scored exactly three runs against the Blue Jays starter.

After the outburst of 14 runs in the previous win, a performance like that from Gausman has its value for Toronto, but going up against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, it wasn’t quite enough for the home team to avoid their sixth straight defeat. Standing out defensively since his call-up replacing the recently injured Mookie Betts, Hyeseong Kim got the scoring started in the third inning—Kim doubled off Gausman and came around to score on a massively long single off the wall from Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers’ DH hit the ball with such force that when it came off the wall, he had no choice but to stand pat at first on what looked like an extra-base hit.

Los Angeles added one more run when Will Smith was able to avoid the double play, hitting with one out and runners at the corner. A two-spot in the third! pic.

twitter. com/6bliU34KJ6 — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 7, 2026 Unlike in the two World Series games, Gausman couldn’t get the quality start, removed after a pair reached in the sixth with still a manageable pitch count at 84. Facing this lefty-heavy Dodger lineup, the Blue Jays went to Mason Fluharty, who got Max Muncy and Kim to close the threat.