Dumsha Wijesinghe JadeTimes Staff
W.G.S.D.Wijesinghe is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Sports News
The Los Angeles Dodgers secured the 2024 World Series title after a remarkable comeback, overturning a 5-0 deficit to defeat the New York Yankees 7-6 at Yankee Stadium, thus clinching the series 4-1.
The game took a dramatic turn in the fifth inning as the Dodgers capitalized on Yankees fielding errors, tying the score. “We just took advantage of every mistake they made in that inning and scored five runs,” said left fielder Teoscar Hernandez. “The bullpen and pitching staff kept us in the game. It’s a dream come true.” This win marks the Dodgers second championship in five years, following their 2020 title in the shortened season.
The Yankees, facing elimination, came out strong with back to back first-inning home runs from Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr., establishing a 3-0 lead. Alex Verdugo drove in Anthony Volpe in the second inning, prompting Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty to be pulled from the mound. Giancarlo Stanton’s solo homer in the third made it 5-0.
Yankees starter Gerrit Cole was dominant through four innings, but the Dodgers rallied after Judge misplayed a routine catch in the fifth, loading the bases with no outs. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Hernandez each drove in runs, tying the game at 5-5.
Though Stanton's sacrifice fly in the sixth gave the Yankees a brief lead, the Dodgers countered in the eighth with two sacrifice flies, edging ahead 7-6. Despite having used six relievers following Flaherty's early exit, the Dodgers entrusted the ninth inning to game three’s starter Walker Buehler. Buehler retired all three batters to secure the championship.
Manager Dave Roberts celebrated, shouting, "Who wants a parade?" in reference to the pandemic limited festivities in 2020. Much of the series spotlight had centered on Japanese star Shohei Ohtani, who made his postseason debut after a stellar first year with the Dodgers. Although Ohtani, a rare two way player, didn’t pitch in 2024 due to elbow surgery, he was further limited after injuring his shoulder in game two, managing just two hits across 19 at bats as a designated hitter.
The Dodgers depth proved decisive, with Freeman, playing through an ankle injury, leading a strong offensive push alongside Betts, who now holds three World Series titles. While Yankees fielding and baserunning showed inconsistency, the Dodgers resilient, injury burdened pitching staff delivered a cohesive performance that culminated in a championship victory.
