Dodgers are closing in on the World Series, Blue Jays tie their key game

(AFP) The Los Angeles Dodgers moved within one win of returning to the World Series after beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3x1 on Thursday to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Major League Baseball Championship Series.

The Toronto Blue Jays, meanwhile, tied their series against the Seattle Mariners at 2-2 with an 8x2 win at T-Mobile Park in the American League matchup.

Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts and second baseman Tommy Edman drove in runs, while starter Tyler Glasnow managed eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings in front of 51,251 fans at Dodger Stadium.

"Our team has been through everything and I never lose confidence in my players," said Angels manager Dave Roberts.

To keep their hopes of reaching the World Series alive, the Brewers need a miraculous comeback in the National League Championship Series.

Only one team, the Boston Red Sox in 2004, has managed to reverse a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven-game Major League Baseball playoff series.

The Dodgers, who are seeking to become the first team in 25 years to win back-to-back World Series titles, can complete a sweep of the series in Game 4 on Friday.

Ohtani's leadoff triple

Brewers manager Pat Murphy surprised by opting to start Aaron Ashby on the mound, but the Dodgers quickly put the left-hander under pressure.

The opening triple by Japanese star Shohei Ohtani set the pace, and then Mookie Betts connected on a double to make the score 1-0.

Murphy quickly retired Ashby and replaced him with Jacob Misiorowski.

The rookie stopped the damage to end the inning and the Brewers responded in the top of the second when Jake Bauers's grounder to center field allowed Caleb Durbin to score.

The breakthrough came in the bottom of the sixth inning when Dodgers catcher Will Smith connected on a single.

Edman then fired a line drive that allowed Smith to score and put the Dodgers up 2x1.

Misiorowski then exited with a final line of nine strikeouts in five innings, with reliever Abner Uribe taking over.

The Dominican's performance on the mound started poorly when an uncontrolled pickoff attempt at first base allowed Freeman to score to make it 3x1.

The Dodgers bullpen took over with Alex Vesia,Blake Treinen and Anthony Banda shutting Milwaukee down before Japanese ace Roki Sasaki got the final three outs.

"I try to get the fundamentals just right so I can control my pitches," Sasaki said through an interpreter.

As if that wasn't enough for the Brewers, Venezuelan Jackson Chourio left the game with muscle discomfort that had been plaguing him and worsened in the seventh inning.

Blue Jays even the score

In the duel that closed the day, the Blue Jays scored a resounding victory at the Mariners' field.

Pitcher Max Scherzer, 41, allowed only two runs in 5.2 innings, allowing Toronto to win its second straight game and pull even with Seattle.

"These are must-win situations," Scherzer told Fox Sports. "You have to give it your all."

As was the case in Game 3, the home team went up on the scoreboard early but a forceful response from the Canadiens made the difference.

Venezuelan Andrés Giménez hit a two-run home run in the third inning to turn the game around.

George Springer connected for his fourth double of the playoffs, while Dominican Vladimir Guerrero fired his fifth homer, bringing him to 11 RBIs in the postseason.

Game 5 of the series will be played in the afternoon in Seattle on Friday.