The Los Angeles Dodgers overcame a five-run deficit to defeat the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday, clinching the championship at Yankee Stadium and ending New York’s hopes for a 28th title.
With the victory, the Dodgers achieved the largest comeback in a World Series-clinching game, cementing a hard-fought series win. The Yankees initially surged ahead with back-to-back home runs by Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the first inning, giving starting pitcher Gerrit Cole a 5-0 cushion by the third.
Costly crrors fuel Dodgers’ rally
The Yankees’ fortunes shifted in the fifth inning, where defensive errors proved costly. Judge misjudged a fly ball, setting up Kike Hernandez and Tommy Edman on base. A miscommunication between Cole and Anthony Rizzo allowed Mookie Betts to reach safely, and Freddie Freeman’s two-run single closed the gap to 5-3. Teoscar Hernandez’s RBI double later tied the game, erasing New York’s lead.
By the end of the inning, Los Angeles had equalized, shifting momentum toward the Dodgers as Yankees fans at Yankee Stadium watched in dismay.
Yankees briefly reclaim lead but Dodgers strike back
Giancarlo Stanton temporarily put the Yankees back on top in the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly, giving New York a 6-5 lead. But the Dodgers quickly responded, taking advantage of a catcher’s interference call against Yankees rookie Austin Wells. With the bases loaded, Mookie Betts lifted a sacrifice fly to center field in the eighth, allowing the Dodgers to pull ahead 7-6.
Walker Buehler, closing in relief, secured the final three outs, striking out Alex Verdugo to seal the Dodgers’ first World Series title since 2020.
Yankees’ long wait for a title continues
The loss marked the end of the Yankees’ 2024 season and extended their World Series drought to 15 years. Despite flashes of brilliance from veterans like Judge and Stanton, and promising plays by younger talents, New York’s defensive miscues cost them the game and the series.
As the Dodgers celebrated, the Yankees and their fans are left to reflect on a season that ultimately fell short of the franchise’s championship ambitions.
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