Bullpen carries Los Angeles Dodgers to Game 6 win, first World Series title since 1988

ARLINGTON -- They might have gotten a little help from the opposing manager in Game 6, but the Los Angeles Dodgers finally won their World Series, the first for the franchise since 1988 and the first in three tries for them over the past four years.

The Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays  3-1 on Tuesday night behind a stellar effort from their bullpen, with six relievers combining for an eight-inning shutout after starter  Tony Gonsolin allowed a solo home run to Rays rookie sensation Randy Arozarena in the first.

Corey Seager, who batted .400 with two home runs and 5 RBIs for the series, was named World Series MVP, one round after earning NLCS MVP honors.

The Dodgers trailed early in Game 6 and were doing very little on offense up until the sixth inning, when Rays manager Kevin Cash inexplicably pulled starter Blake Snell while the lefty was pitching a gem. Snell had struck out nine batters while giving up two hits, including one to  Austin Barnes before being pulled. Reliever Nick Anderson came into the game and immediately gave up a double to  Mookie Betts, a run-scoring wild pitch and a run-scoring groundout by Seager, erasing the deficit and giving the Dodgers their first lead of the game.

Arozarena's homer was the 10th of this postseason, but it wasn't enough for the Rays, who managed just four hits the rest of the game. The Dodgers also had five hits on the night, including a home run by Betts in the eighth to extend the Dodgers' lead.

Julio Urias pitched the final 2.1 innings for the save. 

It's the seventh championship for the Dodgers, who have won their division for eight consecutive years. The Dodgers posted the best record in the majors during this pandemic-shortened season. They had a scare against the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS, going down 3-1 in the series before winning three straight games to capture the NL pennant.

Longtime Dodgers broadcasting legend Vin Scully, who retired in 2016 following a 67-year career, tweeted his congratulations to the team. 

Manager Dave Roberts and the Dodgers lost the World Series in 2017 and '18 before winning this title at a neutral site, Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Rays have played in two World Series, this season and in 2008, losing both times.

About 2 1/2 weeks after the Lakers won the NBA title while finishing their season in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida, the Dodgers gave Los Angeles another championship in this year when the coronavirus pandemic has delayed, shortened and moved around sports seasons.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.