Dodgers Win World Series in 5 Games, Overcome 5-Run Deficit with Help of Errors to Beat Yankees 7-6

In one of the most dramatic World Series showdowns in recent memory, the Los Angeles Dodgers emerged victorious in five games, clinching their 2025 World Series title in a thrilling Game 5. The Dodgers’ ability to overcome a five-run deficit and capitalize on critical errors by the New York Yankees led to a remarkable 7-6 comeback victory, sending the Dodgers’ fanbase into ecstasy and cementing their place in baseball history.

This World Series had all the makings of a classic. From the pre-series hype of two powerhouse teams going head-to-head, to the high-octane games that followed, it was clear that this would be a matchup for the ages. The Yankees, with their powerful lineup and storied postseason success, were expected to be formidable adversaries. The Dodgers, boasting an equally loaded roster that included stars like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani, entered the series with the weight of their recent disappointments in the postseason, eager to finally capture another title.

After a strong start to the series, which saw the Dodgers take a 2-1 lead, the Yankees had a commanding 5-0 lead in Game 5, and it appeared as though they were poised to extend the series to a Game 6. However, a combination of gritty baseball, costly Yankees errors, and clutch performances from the Dodgers led to one of the most memorable turnarounds in World Series history. Here’s a breakdown of how the Dodgers pulled off the incredible comeback and secured their championship.

Yankees’ Early Dominance

The Yankees, playing in front of their home crowd at Yankee Stadium, looked to be on their way to forcing a Game 6 in the World Series. Behind the arm of their ace, Gerrit Cole, and a potent lineup featuring Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Anthony Rizzo, the Yankees jumped out to a commanding 5-0 lead in the first three innings. Cole was dealing, his fastball and slider painting the corners of the plate while keeping the Dodgers’ offense off balance.

The Yankees’ early offense was powered by a 2-run homer from Judge in the first inning and a 3-run rally in the third that knocked Clayton Kershaw out of the game early. The Dodgers found themselves staring down a daunting deficit in a game they could not afford to lose if they wanted to avoid returning to Los Angeles with the Yankees having the momentum.

At that point, many fans began to worry that the Dodgers’ late-season surge, which had carried them through the regular season and into the World Series, might have come to a crashing halt. The Yankees were firing on all cylinders, and the Dodgers appeared flat and out of answers.

The Turning Point: Dodgers Begin to Chip Away

As the Yankees began to celebrate what seemed like an inevitable victory, the Dodgers never lost faith. With the game progressing into the later innings, manager Dave Roberts made some key adjustments, bringing in Ryan Pepiot in relief. Pepiot, who had been solid throughout the regular season, stepped up to the plate in a huge moment, holding the Yankees scoreless for the next three innings.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ offense, which had been silenced by Cole’s masterful pitching early on, began to find its rhythm. Max Muncy singled to drive in Will Smith, cutting the deficit to 5-1 in the fourth inning. Then, in the fifth, a solo home run by Freddie Freeman made it 5-2. It was a small spark, but in the postseason, those sparks can sometimes turn into raging fires.

By the time the game reached the sixth inning, the Dodgers were still trailing by three runs, but they had successfully disrupted Cole’s momentum. It was at this moment that the Yankees’ defense began to falter.

Yankees’ Errors Pave the Way for Dodgers’ Comeback

The Yankees, traditionally one of the most solid defensive teams in baseball, began to show signs of vulnerability. The first of their costly errors came in the sixth inning, when DJ LeMahieu, normally reliable at third base, misjudged a routine grounder from J.D. Martinez, allowing him to reach base on an error. That blunder opened the door for a big inning.

Two batters later, Mookie Betts—who had been quiet up until this point—came through with a critical double, driving in Martinez to bring the Dodgers within two runs. At 5-3, the momentum was officially on Los Angeles’ side.

The Yankees’ fielding troubles continued in the seventh inning. With the score still at 5-3, Yankees shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa misfired a throw to second base, allowing Gavin Lux to reach first safely on an error. Austin Barnes, known for his clutch performances in the postseason, capitalized on the miscue with a well-placed single, advancing Lux to third. With Freddie Freeman at the plate, the Yankees’ defense looked rattled.

Freeman, known for his impeccable plate discipline, delivered with a well-executed ground ball that was misplayed by the Yankees’ second baseman, Gleyber Torres, allowing two more runs to score. Suddenly, the Dodgers were within striking distance, now trailing by only one run at 5-4. The Yankees were visibly shaken, and the Dodgers seized the moment.

The Final Blow: Dodgers Take the Lead

The Dodgers, having chipped away at the deficit through timely hits and Yankees errors, found themselves with the bases loaded in the eighth inning. With Shohei Ohtani up to bat, the atmosphere in Yankee Stadium was electric. Ohtani had been struggling for much of the series, but when his team needed him most, he delivered.

Ohtani lined a single into right field, scoring Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, giving the Dodgers their first lead of the game, 6-5. The New York crowd, once jubilant, was now silent, as the Dodgers had completed their remarkable comeback. But the drama wasn’t over yet.

With the Yankees needing at least one run to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth, Evan Phillips came in to close things out. However, the Yankees weren’t going to go down without a fight. Aaron Judge, ever the postseason hero, belted a towering solo shot off Phillips in the eighth inning, tying the game at 6-6 and sending the Yankees’ fans into a frenzy. The stage was set for an intense final inning.

Dodgers’ Final Push: The Game-Winning Run

The tension was palpable as the game entered the ninth inning. With the score still tied at 6-6, the Dodgers’ offense went to work. After a leadoff walk to Will Smith, the Dodgers were in prime position to take the game. In a moment that would forever define his legacy, Mookie Betts came to the plate with the game on the line.

Betts, already known for his clutch postseason performances, lined a single to center field, advancing Smith to third base. With Freddie Freeman up next, the Dodgers were primed for another big moment. Freeman, who had already delivered in the clutch earlier in the game, hit a soft liner to second base, but the Yankees’ Gleyber Torres misjudged the ball, allowing it to drop for a base hit. Smith came in to score, giving the Dodgers a 7-6 lead.

The Dodgers were now just three outs away from a championship.

A Final Effort: Dodgers’ Defense Holds Strong

In the bottom of the ninth, with the Yankees desperately trying to tie or win the game, Blake Treinen took the mound to close it out. Treinen, a reliable reliever throughout the season, showed no fear under pressure. He struck out Stanton and got Rizzo to ground out, bringing the Yankees to their final out. With Kiner-Falefa up to bat, Treinen sealed the deal with a strikeout, sending the Dodgers to their first World Series title in over 30 years.

The stadium fell into stunned silence as the Dodgers celebrated on the field, their championship finally secured after years of near-misses. The 7-6 victory in Game 5, overcoming a five-run deficit and capitalizing on Yankees errors, will go down as one of the greatest comebacks in World Series history.

The Aftermath: Dodgers’ Legacy

For the Dodgers, this victory was a long time coming. After coming up short in several previous postseason appearances, they had finally found a way to rise above adversity and claim their place among baseball’s elite. For Dave Roberts and his team, this win was a culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and the ability to seize the moment when it mattered most.

For Shohei Ohtani, this victory marked the first World Series title of his career, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time. Meanwhile, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman continued to demonstrate why they are among the most clutch players in the game today.

As the 2025 World Series was finally decided, the Dodgers proved that, when you combine talent, depth, and an unwavering belief in each other, you can overcome any challenge—even a five-run deficit in the final game of the series. The Dodgers are now, without question, one of the most dominant teams in MLB history, and their legacy will live on for generations to come.