Dodgers Whip Yankees in Five

LA Dodgers Whip NY Yanks in Five

By David A. Avila

A battle between two historic rivals saw the Los Angeles Dodgers slay the powerful New York Yankees in the fifth game with sparkling resilience and good old fundamental baseball on Wednesday.

It was the Dodgers eighth World Series championship and they beat the Yanks where they breathe.

One day after two Yankee fans tried to rip a caught ball from Mookie Betts glove during a play, a Yankee centerfielder’s dropped ball opened the door for a five-run rally from the boys of Chavez Ravine, And ultimately the Dodgers defeated the Yankees 7-6 to take their fourth win in the best of seven series.

But after the first inning, things looked grim for Boys in Blue.

When the Yanks erupted for three runs in the first inning, then added another in the second and another in the fourth for a 5-0 lead, it appeared the series was returning to Los Angeles for a sixth game.

But the dice rolled in the fifth inning and when Aaron Judge dropped a fly ball in center, the door was open for the Dodgers to display their “IDGAF style” of baseball as Kiki Hernandez explained. They kept hitting and running with the Yanks fumbling play after play for three errors.

“You got to play a clean game to beat us,” said Betts.

Suddenly, the game was tied 5-5 and Yankee ace Gerrit Cole, a Southern California native and UCLA alum, was gone. These two teams showed why they were the winningest teams in their respective leagues and had the records to prove it.

The come-from-behind World Series win set a record for the biggest comeback.

Game five showed the difference with good Dodger fundamental defensive baseball and perhaps the best bullpen in Major League Baseball this year. It was the US Cavalry dressed in blue.

When Dodger pitcher Jack Flaherty, the hero of Game One was unable to repeat his performance and was taken out in the second inning, in came the Dodger cavalry once again. First it was Anthony Banda followed by Ryan Brasier, Michael Kopech, Alex Vesia, Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen and closed by Walker Buehler.

Walker “Friggin” Buehler.

The Dodgers needed every one of their pitchers to stave off the powerful Yankees who clubbed more homers than any other team in baseball. On Wednesday they gave a powerful display with back-to-back homers from Judge and Jazz Chisolm in the first inning. Then, Giancarlo Stanton blasted another a few innings later.

Power was the Yanks calling card but good pitching and sound defense were the Dodgers strengths along with the super hot bat of Freddie Freeman who launched homers and knocked in a record-tying 12 runs. He was also voted the Willie Mays Most Valuable Player trophy for his World Series performance.

“This is what its’ all about,” said Freeman with the Commissioner’s trophy for the World Series championship. “Since spring training this was our goal.”

Dodger manager Dave Roberts credited the team’s resilience despite losing starting pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Stone, Tyler Glasnow, River Ryan, Emmet Sheehan, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin.

“A lot of guys who couldn’t be on this stage contributed,” Roberts said.

Roberts was also a major contributor in piloting the team through the various dilemmas including the largest comeback victory to end in a World Series win.

“We did a really good job of capitalizing on those errors,” said Roberts.

Though Shohei Ohtani suffered a shoulder injury, he played and his presence contributed in the lineup. It was a dangerous group with capable hitters in every spot, especially Freeman’s.

“I’m glad I got hot at the right time,” Freeman said.

New York Yankee ace said it best.

“They made it tough on us. Always grinding until they got the lead,” said Yankee pitcher Gerrit Cole.

Kiki Hernandez and other Dodgers expounded on that sentiment.

“We weren’t supposed to be here. We started the postseason in beating the best team in baseball the San Diego Padres,” said Hernandez who displayed his usual clutch hitting in the post season. “Then, we beat the hottest team in baseball the New York Mets. And then we came here and beat the mighty New York Yankees.”

Max Muncy said their World Series win was an example of the Dodger’s entire season.

“Everyone went up there and grinded away, everyone had a little part in what happened,” said Muncy. “It started with Doc (Roberts). What an unbelievable job he did managing.”

On the other side of the field, Yankee manager Aaron Boone said it was not a happy ending, but his team proved one of the best he has seen despite the loss.

“This is going to sting a long time,” Boone said.

Kershaw, the longest tenured Dodger said it best.

“What these guys did was amazing,” said Kershaw.