In the early innings, Dodgers’ pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto showed dominance on the mound. He allowed just one run on one hit over 6 1/3 innings. His pitch count remained efficient with only 86 pitches, and he issued just two walks. Yamamoto’s only blip came in the third inning when Juan Soto of the Yankees launched a solo home run, marking Soto’s fourth homer of the postseason. Despite this, Yamamoto maintained composure and shut down any further Yankee threats.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Dominance: Dodgers’ pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto held the Yankees to a single run on one hit over 6 1/3 innings, keeping his pitch count low and issuing just two walks, with his only misstep being a solo homer by Juan Soto.
- Dodgers’ Power Hitting: Home runs from Tommy Edman, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernandez boosted the Dodgers’ lead, setting a solid foundation that proved insurmountable for the Yankees.
- Yankees’ Offensive Struggles: Key players like Aaron Judge (0-for-4) and Anthony Volpe failed to deliver in crucial moments, highlighting a broader challenge for the Yankees’ offense.
- Freeman’s World Series Momentum: Freddie Freeman continued to shine in the postseason, adding another homer to his impactful performance, though an injury to Shohei Ohtani cast some uncertainty over the Dodgers’ future lineup.
Tommy Edman put the Dodgers on the scoreboard first with a solo home run in the second inning. Freeman followed suit in the third inning with his own solo homer, while Teoscar Hernandez added a two-run shot, putting the Dodgers in a strong position. The Yankees attempted a late rally in the ninth inning, with Soto hitting a single and Giancarlo Stanton driving him in with a liner. However, the Dodgers’ defense held firm, preventing any further scoring.
Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ power hitter, struggled at the plate, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. His performance underscored the broader challenges faced by the Yankees’ offense throughout the game. Anthony Volpe also struck out at a critical moment in the ninth inning, sealing the Yankees’ fate for the night.
Freeman’s home run wasn’t just a highlight of the game; it added to the narrative of his World Series journey. His contributions have been pivotal, especially considering his earlier walk-off grand slam in Game 1. The Dodgers’ victory was slightly overshadowed by an injury to Shohei Ohtani, who left the game in the seventh inning with a shoulder issue after a steal attempt. Despite this, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism about Ohtani’s recovery, citing good strength and range of motion.
As the series progresses, both teams will have a day of rest before traveling to New York for Games 3 and 4. The Dodgers’ momentum and strategic plays leave them in a favorable position, but the Yankees’ resilience promises a competitive continuation of the series.