New York Yankees 5-8 Los Angeles Dodgers
The New York Yankees emerged aggressively in a highly anticipated World Series rematch against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the relief pitching struggles that plagued them last October returned with devastating impact. Despite home runs from Aaron Judge, Austin Wells, Trent Grisham, and Paul Goldschmidt, the Yankees surrendered a three-run advantage and dropped an 8-5 decision on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
The setback spoiled what appeared destined to be a signature victory, as Shohei Ohtani and Judge created history with solo shots in the opening frame — marking the first instance of reigning AL and NL MVPs homering in the same first inning.
Yankees begin aggressively, but succumb to familiar issues
New York dominated the early proceedings. Judge launched his 19th homer of the campaign — a towering 446-foot blast to straightaway center — against Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin (3-1). One pitch later, Ohtani answered with a 417-foot drive of his own, taking Max Fried deep and energizing the Dodgers’ bench.
The Yankees maintained pressure. Austin Wells connected in the second inning, followed by Trent Grisham‘s two-run shot that expanded the lead to 4-1. Paul Goldschmidt, accustomed to crucial moments, contributed a solo blast in the third, establishing a 5-2 Yankees advantage.
However, reminiscent of Game 5 in the 2024 World Series, the Yankees’ bullpen collapsed, and the lead evaporated.
Ohtani ignites Dodgers rally in crucial sixth
With the Yankees ahead 5-4 in the sixth, Ohtani opened the frame with his second homer of the evening, catalyzing a four-run explosion. Teoscar Hernández and Will Smith followed with singles, and Freddie Freeman doubled home the equalizer, ending Fried’s night.
Reliever Jonathan Loáisiga (0-1) failed to contain the damage. Rookie Andy Pages lined an RBI single to tie the contest at 5-5. Subsequently, Tim Hill walked Michael Conforto with the bases loaded, handing the Dodgers their first lead.
Dodgers’ late surge secures victory
During the seventh, Will Smith and Freddie Freeman singled and doubled, respectively, before Pages drove both home with a two-run hit against Yerry De Los Santos, pushing the score to 8-5. Freeman barely scored after taking a wide turn around third, sliding past a tag at home plate.
Despite a brief late-game threat, DJ LeMahieu flew out with runners at the corners in the eighth against Tanner Scott, a crucial moment that ended any Yankees comeback hopes.
Alex Vesia worked a clean ninth to secure his second save this season.
Fried, bullpen face increased questions
Max Fried (5-2), who entered sporting a sub-2.00 ERA, appeared unusually vulnerable, surrendering six earned runs on nine hits across five-plus innings. However, the greater concern remains the Yankees’ bullpen — formerly the team’s strength, now a persistent weakness in high-pressure situations.
Loáisiga, Hill, and De Los Santos combined to allow five runs in just two innings, perpetuating a worrying pattern in close contests against elite competition.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed frustration regarding the team’s inability to capitalize on strong offensive performances, emphasizing that the bullpen must improve while acknowledging the four home runs hit by his team.
Rare power display and squandered chance
The contest featured an unusual statistical occurrence: four Yankees homers in a defeat. This marked the second instance this season the Yankees lost despite hitting four or more home runs.
Gonsolin surrendered all four blasts, nearly equaling his team record of five homers allowed in a single game established last August.
Key moment & stat
Tanner Scott’s crucial escape in the eighth. With runners positioned at the corners and two outs, the typically inconsistent Dodgers reliever induced a routine flyout from LeMahieu to conclude the inning and preserve Los Angeles’ 6-5 advantage.
The Yankees bullpen has now allowed 18 earned runs across the previous 21 innings against teams with winning records, a statistic that could prompt GM Brian Cashman to explore bullpen additions before the All-Star break.
Yankees roster
| hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| T. GrishamCF | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.259 | 0.354 | 0.538 |
| A. JudgeRF | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.392 | 0.486 | 0.75 |
| C. BellingerLF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.253 | 0.326 | 0.447 |
| P. Goldschmidt1B | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.343 | 0.399 | 0.502 |
| B. RiceDH | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.339 | 0.524 |
| A. VolpeSS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.241 | 0.319 | 0.433 |
| A. WellsC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.209 | 0.276 | 0.449 |
| J. Vivas2B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.143 | 0.25 | 0.238 |
| aJ. DominguezPH | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.244 | 0.342 | 0.417 |
| P. Reyes3B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.192 | 0.25 | 0.231 |
| O. Peraza3B | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.157 | 0.239 | 0.325 |
| bJ.C. EscarraPH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.245 | 0.345 | 0.388 |
| cD. LeMahieuPH-2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.179 | 0.238 | 0.256 |
| pitchers | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | PC-ST | ERA |
| M. Fried(L, 7-1) | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 75-47 | 1.92 |
| J. Loaisiga(B, 1) | 0.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6-Oct | 1.59 |
| T. Hill | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6-Nov | 3.38 |
| Y. De los Santos | 0.1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21-16 | 3.18 |
| B. Headrick | 1.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14-11 | 0 |
Up Next
Saturday, May 31 — Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Yankees starter: RHP Will Warren (3-2, 4.09 ERA)
Dodgers starter: RHP Landon Knack (2-2, 5.22 ERA)
First pitch: 7:15 p.m. EDT
The Yankees will attempt to rebound in the series’ second game behind promising rookie Will Warren, who enters following two solid starts. The Dodgers counter with Landon Knack, seeking to extend their recent success against New York.
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