Dodgers vs Yankees Match Player Stats: Inside Game 5’s Epic Comeback

When diving into the dodgers vs yankees match player stats from Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, you’ll discover exactly how LA’s dramatic comeback unfolded to clinch their championship at Yankee Stadium.

I’ve analyzed every at-bat, pitch sequence, and defensive play to reveal the story behind the numbers that baseball fans will be talking about for years.

The Historic Rivalry Renewed

The Dodgers-Yankees rivalry added another classic chapter on October 30, 2024, with LA’s 7-6 victory at Yankee Stadium.

These two storied franchises have faced off in the World Series 12 times since 1941, with the Dodgers’ 2024 win giving them their fourth championship against the Yankees.

Game 5 encapsulated everything that makes baseball magical – early power, defensive drama, pitching chess matches, and clutch hitting when it mattered most.

Dodgers Batting Breakdown: Clutch When It Counted

The Dodgers’ offense didn’t overwhelm with volume but delivered in the moments that mattered:

• Freddie Freeman: His 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs doesn’t tell the whole story. His fifth-inning, two-run single with two strikes tied the game 5-5 and completely shifted momentum. Freeman’s 12 RBIs across the series tied a World Series record set by Bobby Richardson.
• Teoscar Hernández: Went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs, continuing his postseason surge after hitting .267 with 28 homers in the regular season.
• Kiké Hernández: His fifth-inning single broke up Cole’s no-hit bid and sparked the comeback. His postseason batting average (.271) again outpaced his regular season mark (.251).
• Chris Taylor: His perfect 1-for-1 with a 2.000 OPS came in a crucial pinch-hit appearance, showing the Dodgers’ bench strength.
• Gavin Lux: Despite going 0-for-3, his eighth-inning sacrifice fly proved to be the game-winner, showcasing situational hitting over raw stats.

Perhaps most surprising: Shohei Ohtani went just 0-for-4 in Game 5 and 2-for-19 in the series overall, yet still earned his first championship ring. Baseball’s unpredictability at its finest.

Dodgers Pitching: Bullpen Brilliance

The Dodgers’ record-setting bullpen usage (eight pitchers) tells the story of modern baseball strategy:

• Jack Flaherty (Starter): His rough 1.1 innings (5 ER, 33.75 ERA) looked disastrous, but manager Dave Roberts’ quick hook proved decisive.
• Blake Treinen (Winner): His 2.2 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts stabilized the game when it could’ve spiraled. Treinen lowered his postseason ERA to 1.93, even better than his impressive 2.42 regular season mark.
• Walker Buehler (Save): The perfect ninth inning came in his first relief appearance since 2018. His versatility showed when he pumped 96 mph fastballs despite primarily starting all season.
• Relief Corps Mastery: The combined bullpen effort of 7.2 innings allowing just 1 earned run showcased LA’s depth. Michael Kopech, Alex Vesia, and Brusdar Graterol each delivered perfect innings.

Yankees Power Display: Early Dominance

The Yankees started with the power hitting that defined their season:

• Aaron Judge: His 2-for-3 with a first-inning home run continued his MVP-caliber play. Judge’s postseason OPS (1.121) nearly matched his regular season figure (1.142).
• Jazz Chisholm Jr.: His back-to-back homer with Judge represented the Yankees’ midseason trade acquisition paying dividends.
• Giancarlo Stanton: His third-inning blast (his 7th of the postseason) tied Mickey Mantle for third on the Yankees’ all-time postseason home run list.
• Juan Soto: Went 1-for-2 with 2 runs and a 1.100 OPS, proving again why he was the Yankees’ prized offseason addition.

The Yankees’ 30th-ranked offense during the regular season came alive in October, only to falter at the most critical moment.

The Fifth Inning Collapse: Numbers Behind The Meltdown

The game’s defining sequence came in the fifth inning, revealed in stark detail by the play-by-play stats:

1. Kiké Hernández singles to break up Cole’s no-hitter
2. Tommy Edman singles, runners at 1st and 2nd
3. Aaron Judge drops a routine fly ball (Error #1)
4. Anthony Volpe bobbles a potential double-play grounder (Error #2)
5. Gerrit Cole fails to cover first base (Error #3)
6. Freddie Freeman delivers 2-run single with two strikes

The inning’s stats: 5 unearned runs, 3 errors, 0 extra-base hits by the Dodgers.

This sequence transformed a 5-0 Yankees lead into a 5-5 tie without a single earned run scoring.

Yankees Pitching: From Dominance to Despair

The Yankees’ pitching stats tell a tale of what could have been:

• Gerrit Cole: His line (6.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 SO) deserved better. Through 4 innings, he had a no-hitter with 5 strikeouts before the defense collapsed behind him.
• Tommy Kahnle (Loss): Failed to record an out while allowing 2 runs in the eighth. His 0.0 IP with 2 ER proved catastrophic.
• Clay Holmes: His 1.1 scoreless innings (0.75 WHIP) showed why he was one of the AL’s top relievers all season.

Cole’s Game 5 ERA (2.70) actually improved on his regular season mark (3.41), but the unearned runs don’t show up in his personal statistics.

Historical Context: Record-Breaking Series

The 2024 World Series broke multiple statistical records:

• Home runs accounted for 61.2% of all runs, the highest percentage in World Series history
• Freeman’s 12 RBIs tied the single-series record held by Bobby Richardson since 1960
• The Dodgers’ use of 8 pitchers was the most ever in a World Series-clinching game
• Stanton’s 7 home runs set a new Yankees record for a single postseason

The Pivotal At-Bats That Won A Championship

Two eighth-inning plate appearances won’t stand out in the box score but determined the championship:

• Gavin Lux: His sacrifice fly to right field came after working the count full against Kahnle, driving in Kiké Hernández from third
• Mookie Betts: His sacrifice fly to center field followed, bringing home Tommy Edman

Neither appears as a hit in the box score, yet they provided the winning margin that will forever be part of Dodgers lore.

• Also Read: Knicks vs Boston Celtics Match Player Stats.

Comprehensive FAQs About Dodgers vs Yankees Match Player Stats

Who had the most impressive batting stats in Game 5?

Aaron Judge led all players with a 1.833 OPS (2-for-3, HR, 2 RBIs), though his dropped fly ball in the fifth inning ultimately proved more consequential than his offensive contributions. Chris Taylor’s perfect 1-for-1 with a walk gave him a 2.000 OPS in limited action.

Which pitching performance was most valuable for the Dodgers?

Blake Treinen’s 2.2 scoreless innings earned him the win, but Walker Buehler’s perfect ninth inning save might be most memorable. Coming in from the bullpen for the first time since 2018, Buehler struck out one batter and needed just 11 pitches to secure the championship.

How did Freddie Freeman’s World Series stats compare historically?

Freeman’s 12 RBIs across the five games tied Bobby Richardson’s 64-year-old record for most RBIs in a single World Series. His .300 average with 4 home runs and a 1.321 OPS earned him unanimous MVP honors. His walk-off grand slam in Game 1 was the first in World Series history.

What defensive stats proved most decisive in Game 5?

The Yankees’ three errors in the fifth inning led to five unearned runs, completely changing the game. The Dodgers played error-free baseball throughout. Yankees defenders had posted a .986 fielding percentage during the regular season (6th best in MLB), making their defensive collapse even more surprising.

How did Shohei Ohtani perform in his first World Series?

Despite his regular season MVP-caliber numbers (.304, 54 HR, 130 RBI), Ohtani struggled in the World Series, batting just .105 (2-for-19) with no RBIs and six strikeouts. Game 5 saw him go 0-for-4, yet his teammates’ performances ensured he still earned his first championship ring.

The Bottom Line

The dodgers vs yankees match player stats from Game 5 reveal how championships often hinge on moments that transcend the numbers.

Despite the Yankees’ power display and Cole’s strong pitching, it was the Dodgers’ ability to capitalize on mistakes and deliver situational hitting that earned them their first title since 2020.

The true story of this decisive game lives in both the raw statistics and the crucial moments between the numbers – a perfect example of why baseball remains the most fascinating sport for those who appreciate the details behind dodgers vs yankees match player stats.