“You can’t give a good team like that extra outs,” Judge told reporters. “It starts with me, a line workout happening, a misinterpretation. If that doesn’t happen, I think we have a different story.”

The Yankees, who were leading 5-0 at the time of Judge’s error, were doomed by another error when shortstop Anthony Volpe threw the ball too low to third base on the ensuing rally, allowing the Dodgers loading the bases.

Ace pitcher Gerrit Cole and first baseman Anthony Rizzo poorly communicated when Bets on Mookie hit a grounder after first base, allowing the Dodgers outfielder to record an RBI single in the field.

First baseman Freddie Freeman followed by a two-run single. Outfielder Teoscar Hernández then hit a two-run double to center, tying the score.

Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton gave the Yankees the lead back with an RBI sacrifice fly in the sixth, but the Dodgers tied the score on a sacrifice fly by second baseman Gavin Lux in the eighth.

Betts then plated shortstop Tommy Edman for what proved to be the winning run with another sacrifice fly two at-bats later.

Judge went 2 for 3 with two RBIs, two walks and a run scored in the loss. His two hits matched his total from the first four games of the Series (2 for 15). His homer and double in the eighth inning were his only extra-base hits of the World Series.

“I think my World Series failure will probably stick with me until I die,” Judge said. “I think like any other defeat, these things don’t go away, they’re battle scars along the way. Hopefully when my career is over we’ll have a lot of battle scars, but also a lot of victories all along the way too.

Judge, who signed a nine-year, $360 million contract in 2022, is on the Yankees’ roster for a forced future. Stanton and Cole are among the other Yankees players remaining under contract through lucrative deals, while outfielder Juan Soto is poised to become the most coveted free agent in baseball.

But even without Soto, Judge believes he can lead the Yankees to a record 28th World Series. He also praised Yankees fans for their support, while envisioning a championship for the Bronx Bombers.

“They always supported us,” Judge said. “Even when we weren’t playing our best baseball, they were still there for us. That’s why they’re the best fans in the world and they definitely deserve a World Series championship and we’re going to bring that to them at some point. ”

The Yankees, who are tied for third-worst defensive percentages in the American League during the regular season, have totaled the most errors (nine) in the postseason, including three in the World Series finale.

Judge made no errors in the regular season or in the Yankees’ first 13 playoff games.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave the Dodgers credit for taking advantage of their errors in the fifth inning. He then delayed opening the clubhouse to reporters to give his players time to recover from Wednesday’s loss.

“I talked to you all through the playoffs and the World Series about how close this room is,” Boone said. “Really, that’s what it was all about, guys giving their hearts out and being there for each other and loving each other. Obviously it’s a very difficult time for us.

“You get to that point, like I told the guys, ‘obviously it stings now, but it’s going to sting forever.'”