The Toronto Blue Jays were on the wrong side of an instant classic on Monday night, as they lost 6-5 in Game 3 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Freddie Freeman's walk-off home run in the bottom of the 18th inning was the final memory in a memorable night, and the Jays now trail the best-of-seven series two games to one. 

After the game, Toronto manager John Schneider was asked about one of the biggest moments of the contest, and he delivered an illuminating answer.

The situation

There was one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, and the Jays led 5-4. Seranthony Dominguez was pitching, and Shohei Ohtani was hitting. The Jays walked him five consecutive plate appearances after this one (four intentional), but this one resulted in a home run to tie the game at 5-5.

The Jays had gone out to talk to Dominguez before the at-bat, and evidently, the plan was not executed, which is what Schneider said after the contest.

The answer

Per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet:

"Mound visit -- you know, we're trying to pitch around him. You trust Seranthony to make pitches to do that. Sometimes it's hard for pitchers to do that when you're kind of trying to throw a ball and didn't put it where you want to put it. But he had a great game, he had a great player, but I think after that, you just kind of take the bat out of his hands."

Was it necessary? 

Look, Schneider's answer was honest, and it's not untrue, but did he need to throw Dominguez under the bus in the World Series? Not from this vantage point, at least.

Wouldn't a simple of "We had a plan, and we missed location," have sufficed? Or, "Yeah, Dominguez couldn't quite get it where we wanted it, but we trust him in those roles," have been a nice show of confidence for a guy who clearly didn't do what he was supposed to? Dominguez, who was acquired at the trade deadline, is a big part of this team's bullpen and they are going to need him moving forward. Hopefully he's able to find the confidence himself.

Up next

The Jays and Dodgers will play again in Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 8:00 p.m. ET as Shane Bieber pitches against Ohtani.

Related Blue Jays stories

BARGER's GEAR TO HOF: After a historic grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series, Addison Barger is sending his cleats to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. CLICK HERE: 

SCHERZER MAKES HISTORY: With his Game 3 start, the Jays pitcher did something no pitcher has ever done. CLICK HERE:

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