By overcoming the five-run deficit and securing the 7–6 victory in Game 5, the Dodgers set an MLB record for the largest comeback in a deciding game in World Series history. The Dodgers, who won the World Series during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, won their first title in a 162-game season since 1988.

“It’s unbelievable,” Dodgers manager said Dave Roberts said. “We had a great season and went through a lot of adversity. A lot of people wrote us off. … These guys believed in each other.

“Even when we were 5-0 down, they persevered and kept fighting and we are now world champions.”

With their series triumph, the Dodgers tied the San Francisco Giants with eight total titles, the fifth most in MLB history. First baseman Freddie Freemanwho was 6 for 20 (.300) with four home runs and a World Series-high 12 RBIs, earned MVP honors.

“Every spring training, that’s our goal and to make that happen with this group of guys, I couldn’t ask for a better year,” Freeman said.

The Yankees, who discovered their offense in Game 4 to avoid a series sweep, found that power stroke again in Game 5 with homers from the center fielder. Aaron judgesJazz Chisholm Jr. third baseman and designated hitter Giancarlo Stantonfueling a 5-0 lead through four innings.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, who pitched on just four days’ rest, kept the Dodgers hitless through the first four innings. He retired his first eight batters in order. Mistakes then doomed the Bronx Bombers in the fifth.

Center fielder Enrique Hernandez started the inning with a single. Shortstop Tommy Edman then hit a fly ball to center field, but Judge failed to make a routine catch.

Recipient Will Smith reached on a defender’s choice after a throwing error by Anthony Volpe. Betts plated Hernandez with an infield RBI single three at-bats later, giving the Dodgers their first run.

Freeman followed with a two-run single, cutting the deficit to two. Left fielder Teoscar Hernandez then hit a 1-2 cutter to center for a tying two-run double.

The Yankees were able to regain the lead when Stanton hit an RBI sacrifice fly in the sixth. They held that advantage until the Dodgers loaded the bases in the top of the eighth.

Second baseman Gavin Lux tied the score with an RBI sacrifice fly. Betts then gave the Dodgers their first and final lead of the night with another sacrifice fly to center field.

Judge doubled and Chisholm drew a walk in the bottom of the eighth, but both were stranded on base as a Dodgers reliever. Blake Treinen came out of the round unscathed.

Dodgers starter Walker Buehler took the mound as a relief pitcher in the bottom of the ninth. He struck out Volpe, catcher Austin Wells and outfielder Alex Verdugo to get the win.

Enrique Hernández and Teoscar Hernández recorded two hits each in the victory. Judge went 2 for 3 with two RBIs, two walks and a run scored for the Yankees. Volpe also recorded two hits in the loss.

Cole allowed four hits and issued four walks and six strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. He allowed five runs, all of which were unearned.