Crazy! Dodgers Rally from 5-0 Deficit in Game 5, Win 7-6 in a Thrilling Finish
Late-Inning Chaos Caps Wild Comeback
The Dodgers capitalized on a wild fifth inning to score five runs against the Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series.
There was only one word to describe the five-run fifth inning that resurrected the Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday night, and it came from the man who produced the most quirky hit of the implausible rally: crazy!
Renewed Energy
The Dodgers did not play a clean game Wednesday night, bunching most of their mistakes in a fifth inning that had to be one of the ugliest in postseason history, one that wiped out the 5-0 lead they built on Aaron Judge’s two-run home run in the first inning and solo shots by Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the first and Giancarlo Stanton in the third.
Error-Riddled Fifth Inning
New York ace Gerrit Cole needed only 49 pitches to cruise through four hitless innings, and his defense actually saved a potential run in the fourth when Judge, with Betts aboard after a leadoff walk, raced to the wall in left-center field to make a leaping catch of a Freddie Freeman drive before slamming into the wall.
An epic defensive meltdown in the top of the fifth, however, committed by the Yankees, allowed the Dodgers to score five unearned runs and tie the score 5-5.
Kiké Hernández’ Starring Role
Kiké Hernández, who has a career .391 average (nine for 23) with three doubles, a triple, and a home run off Cole, led off the fifth with a single to right-center field, breaking up Cole’s no-hitter.
A Series of Errors Unfolds
The Dodgers capitalized on a wild fifth inning to score five runs against the Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series.
Tommy Edman followed with a sinking line drive to shallow center. Judge, who did not commit an error in 158 regular-season games and 13 postseason games, raced in and had plenty of time to catch what seemed to be a routine fly ball.
Turning the Tide
"Hey, Kiké did a great job," Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said. "I never believed that things even out in baseball, but I don’t know, man… the guy makes an unbelievable catch, and then he misses one. So maybe things do even out."
Freeman on Betts
"For us to get it back to even, you just could feel the momentum [shifting]," Freeman, who was named series most valuable player after batting .300 (six for 20) with four homers, a triple, and 12 RBIs in five games, said.
Conclusion
The Dodgers’ marathon game-five comeback, fueled by a series of errors, converted a three-run deficit into a thrilling victory, capping an unforgettable ride and earning their eighth championship in franchise history. As the playoffs often do, the World Series tested the Dodgers’ resilience once more, and they responded with a series of individual performances that defied explanation.
FAQs
Q: What was the significance of Mookie Betts’ game-winning hit?
A: Betts’ hit, which could be described as "crazy," was the most notable of the implausible rally, earning the description from the man himself.
Q: How did the Dodgers capitalize on the wild fifth inning?
A: The Dodgers scored five runs, unearned, in the fifth inning, tying the score 5-5, and eventually won 7-6.
Q: Who led off the fifth inning with a single to break up Cole’s no-hitter?
A: Kiké Hernández, with a .391 average (nine for 23) with three doubles, a triple, and a home run off Cole, led off the fifth with a single to right-center field.
