Yet two swings by Will Smith did, and that was the very narrow margin between Gausman and Los Angeles Dodgers stalwart Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as Smith’s go-ahead home run in the seventh inning broke up a fantastic pitching duel and Yamamoto pitched a four-hitter, lifting the Dodgers to an eventual 5-1 victory at Rogers Centre.

After three decades away from the Fall Classic, the Blue Jays didn’t just return — they roared back.

The Blue Jays hit three home runs — including a pinch-hit grand slam by Addison Barger — had 14 hits and scored nine runs in the explosive sixth inning.