Jeff Hoffman Takes Blame, 'Feels Pretty S--tty' to Cost Blue Jays the World Series

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman was downcast after blowing the save in his team's Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

"It sucks. Supposed to end differently," he told reporters following the 5-4 defeat in 11 innings. "Was just one pitch. I cost everybody here a World Series ring. It feels pretty s--tty."

With one out in the top of the ninth, Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas wrote himself into baseball lore with a game-tying home run to left field. The No. 9 hitter, he was the unlikeliest hero.

L.A. catcher Will Smith stepped up two innings later with a two-out solo homer to left.

"Hung a slider to a great guy who hits sliders well," Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber said of Smith's dinger. "He was looking for it. I didn't execute. This one stings. It's going to sting for a while. This game is not for the faint of heart."

Hoffman will be replaying Rojas' at-bat in his head for a long time to come. He was far from the biggest reason the Blue Jays couldn't seal the deal, though.

Toronto should've been up by more than a run entering the final frame.

Aside from Bo Bichette's three-run home run in the third, the offense didn't capitalize in big moments. The Blue Jays left 14 runners on base and went 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position.

Rojas' clutch homer would've been relegated to a footnote if Toronto brings somebody home when it had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth. The American League champion had a golden opportunity to tie the game in the 11th as well with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. standing on third with one out. Alejandro Kirk then grounded into a game-ending double play.

The Dodgers were reeling when Bichette's home run sailed over the fence. The Blue Jays simply failed to land the knockout blow and paid for it in the end.