For the second time this decade, the Los Angeles Dodgers have clinched the World Series title, pulling off a dramatic comeback to defeat the New York Yankees in Game 5 with a score of 7-6. This victory marks the Dodgers’ eighth championship and showcases their resilience as they overcame a five-run deficit to secure the win.
The LA Dodgers win the World Series 4-1 over the NY Yankees! Shohei Ohtani has FINALLY done it 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dRal781VUO
— 365Scores (@365Scores) October 31, 2024
The Yankees came out swinging in the first inning with back-to-back home runs from Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm, quickly setting a commanding tone. By the fourth inning, New York had built a 5-0 lead, and it appeared they were on their way to forcing Game 6. However, defensive missteps became costly, beginning with a dropped line drive by Judge in the fifth inning. Moments later, Chisholm misplayed a throw at third, and pitcher Gerrit Cole missed covering first base on a routine play, allowing an RBI single that chipped away at the Yankees’ lead. Sensing an opening, Dodgers’ stars Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernandez stepped up, each driving in two runs to level the score at 5-5.
The Yankees reclaimed a slim lead in the sixth inning, but defensive lapses continued to haunt them. The Dodgers loaded the bases in the eighth inning, prompting Yankees manager Aaron Boone to bring in closer Luke Weaver. A sacrifice fly from Gavin Lux tied the game once more, and Shohei Ohtani reached on catcher’s interference to reload the bases. Mookie Betts followed with a sac fly, giving Los Angeles a 7-6 advantage. In the bottom of the inning, New York had runners on first and second, but Blake Treinen stymied their rally, retiring Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo to maintain the Dodgers’ lead.
In the ninth, Walker Buehler was called upon to close the game. He wasted no time, retiring Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells, and Alex Verdugo in order, to secure the Dodgers’ World Series title. “What a moment for our team,” said Treinen, who had pitched 2.1 scoreless innings to hold off the Yankees and set up Buehler’s closing heroics.
The Yankees, who aimed to become the first team to force a Game 6 after trailing 3-0 in a series, saw their hopes dashed by costly defensive errors. Some may argue that, with tighter defense, New York could have led the series, but it’s the Dodgers who will be flying back to Los Angeles for a championship celebration. “A lot of people counted us out… but these guys believed in one another,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “Now, they’re world champions.”
YOUR 2024 #WORLDSERIES CHAMPIONS: THE LOS ANGELES @DODGERS! #CHAMPS pic.twitter.com/vM0EmzOfR4
— MLB (@MLB) October 31, 2024
This title marks Shohei Ohtani’s first in his inaugural MLB postseason, while Mookie Betts now boasts three rings, including one with the Boston Red Sox. Freeman also earns his second, and despite missing much of the season due to injury, veteran Clayton Kershaw gets his second ring as well. After their 2020 title, which some fans questioned due to the shortened season, this full-season victory offers vindication for the Dodgers. Treinen addressed the critics, saying, “People wanted to discredit 2020, but it’s incredible to see the guys from that year finally silence the doubters.”
From preseason expectations to World Series champions, the Dodgers were favorites from day one, and their perseverance has now secured them another place in baseball history.
