Just when it seemed that Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees were back in contention for the World Series, they practically gave the trophy away.
A dramatic collapse in defense, starting with Judge’s blunder in center field, allowed the Los Angeles Dodgers to stage a comeback during a five-run fifth inning, bringing the score to 5-5.
Mistakes were also made by young shortstop Anthony Volpe and star pitcher Gerrit Cole. New York’s bullpen squandered a one-run lead in the eighth inning, leading to a 7-6 loss on Wednesday night in Game 5, which secured the Dodgers their eighth championship and second in five years.
After finally reaching the World Series for the first time since 2009, the Yankees’ run was short-lived.
This marks another postseason disappointment for baseball’s most storied franchise, which once dominated October. However, that hasn’t been the case recently, and 15 years without a championship is a long time for the Yankees.
Looking ahead, they face an offseason filled with uncertainty as they aim to retain free agent slugger Juan Soto, who is expected to attract numerous suitors and command a hefty contract.
After dropping the first three games to the Dodgers, the Yankees managed a 11-4 victory in Game 4, led by Volpe, to avoid a sweep. They were seeking to become the first of 25 teams to overcome a 3-0 deficit in the World Series and force a Game 6, which would have taken place at Dodger Stadium.
They got off to an exciting start in Game 5, with Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. hitting back-to-back homers in the first inning. Giancarlo Stanton added another home run in the third inning, giving the Bronx Bombers a 5-0 lead.
Cole was strong, pitching four hitless innings and managing a leadoff walk in the fourth thanks to a spectacular catch by Judge, who crashed into the left-center field fence.
California, here we come, right?
