Dodgers Win World Series After Thrilling Comeback

The Dodgers set a record for the biggest comeback in a World Series-defining game, trailing 5-0 after three innings (Reuters)

The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the 2024 World Series after rallying from a 5-0 deficit to beat the New York Yankees 7-6 at Yankee Stadium and seal a 4-1 series victory.

A scrambled game was turned upside down at its midpoint when the Dodgers exploited Yankees fielding errors in the top of the fifth inning to even the scores.

“We just took advantage of every mistake they made in that inning and scored five runs,” left fielder Teoscar Hernandez said.

“The bullpen and the pitching staff gave us a chance to stay in the game. It’s a dream come true.”

It is the second title in five years for the National League champions, who had previously won in the Covid-shortened 2020 season.

Facing elimination, the Yankees came out strong in the Bronx when consecutive first-inning home runs by Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr put them up 3-0.

When Alex Verdugo drove in Anthony Volpe in the second, Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty was hooked and Giancarlo Stanton’s solo shot made the score 5-0 in the third.

Yankees starter Gerrit Cole was impeccable for four innings, but the Dodgers rallied after Judge missed a routine catch in center field in the fifth, loading the bases with no outs before Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Hernández drove in runs to make the score 5-. 5.

Stanton’s sacrifice fly in the sixth put the Yankees back in front, but the Dodgers responded in the eighth with two sacrifice flies of their own to take a 7-6 lead.

Having used six relievers after Flaherty’s early exit, the Dodgers turned to Game 3 starter Walker Buehler to pitch the ninth with a one-run lead, but he retired all three batters he faced to seal the title. .

“Who wants a parade?” shouted manager Dave Roberts, referring to the pandemic that had limited their celebrations in 2020.

Dodgers jump on Ohtani train as supporting cast grows

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman celebrates after driving in two runs in the fifth inning. — Freddie Freeman was named the series’ most valuable player. Although he failed to extend his record home run streak, he set another World Series record with 12 RBIs (Reuters)

Much of the pre-series attention had focused on Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani, who made his first postseason appearance after a stellar first year with the Dodgers.

The 30-year-old is a rare ‘two-way’ player, capable of competing at the highest level as a hitter and pitcher, but he did not pitch during 2024 after undergoing elbow surgery.

He was further hampered in the World Series after injuring his shoulder sliding into second base in the second game, and a series-record two hits in 19 plate appearances as a designated hitter was modest by his standards.

But the Dodgers showed their strength in depth when Freeman, nursing an ankle injury, led the offense in spectacular fashion, assisted by Betts, who now has three World Series rings to his name.

While the Yankees’ fielding and base running were occasionally sloppy, the Dodgers gave no quarter, and this final game exemplified how their injury-hit pitching staff collectively came together to help deliver the title.