The Los Angeles Dodgers came from behind to clinch the 2024 World Series, defeating the New York Yankees 7-6 in a thrilling Game 5. This victory marked the Dodgers’ eighth championship in franchise history, their first full-season title since 1988, and showcased their remarkable resilience and depth.
Trailing by five runs in the fifth inning, the Dodgers turned the game around through a series of fortunate breaks and clutch hitting. After Yankee Centerfielder Aaron Judge dropped a fly ball and a bizarre fielding gaffe by Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, Freddie Freeman delivered a two-run two-out single, followed by a two-run double from Teoscar Hernández, tying the game at 5-5. This comeback was fueled by Cole, who had been dominant early on but faltered in the fifth, throwing 38 pitches as Los Angeles seized momentum.
After the Yankees briefly retook the lead with Giancarlo Stanton’s sacrifice fly in the sixth, the Dodgers responded in the eighth. Enrique Hernández and Tommy Edman opened the inning with back-to-back singles, followed by a walk to Will Smith. Mookie Betts and Gavin Lux added sacrifice flies, giving Los Angeles a lead they would not relinquish.
The Dodgers used a total of seven pitchers, including starting pitcher Walker Buehler, to cover 27 outs, setting a record for the most pitchers used in a championship-clinching game. Buehler, despite struggling in previous seasons as a reliever, closed out the game with a flawless ninth inning, sealing the victory and sparking a celebration among teammates.
On the strength of homering in the first four games and a total of 12 RBI in the World Series, Freddie Freeman was named World Series MVP. In classy fashion, the Canadian-American dual citizen gave credit to his teammates for getting on base ahead of him.
