Bronx, NY— The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their dominant performance in the World Series, defeating the New York Yankees 4-2 on Monday night to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Fall Classic.
Freddie Freeman shone once again, hitting a home run for the third consecutive game. Meanwhile, Walker Buehler delivered another stellar pitching performance, keeping the struggling Yankees at bay. With superstar Shohei Ohtani playing through a partially dislocated left shoulder, the Dodgers are now just one win away from an unexpected sweep in this much-anticipated matchup.
“All I care about right now is one more win,” Freeman said.
In the game, Teoscar Hernández showcased his defensive skills by throwing out a runner at home plate with a precise throw from left field. Mookie Betts and Kiké Hernández each contributed an RBI single, while the Dodgers chased Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt out of the game by the third inning.
Buehler, along with six relievers, limited New York to just five hits, moving Los Angeles closer to its second championship in five years and the eighth in franchise history.
“Walker Buehler has always stepped up in big games and big moments,” Freeman praised. “He knows how to deliver when we need him.”
Freeman’s two-run homer came just three batters into the game, extending his record streak of home runs in five consecutive World Series games, tying the major league record set by George Springer in 2017.
After overcoming a sprained right ankle earlier in the postseason, Freeman had already made history in the first game of this series, hitting the first game-ending grand slam in World Series history.
The Dodgers are now on the verge of completing a sweep in the World Series, something they last achieved against the Yankees in 1963. New York has not been swept in a Fall Classic since 1976 and has a historic struggle when trailing 3-0 in postseason series.
“Hopefully, we can create an incredible story and shock the world,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “But we need to focus on winning one game at a time to keep our hopes alive.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who was part of the Red Sox team that staged a historic comeback against the Yankees in 2004, emphasized the need for focus and urgency.
In their 11 previous World Series meetings, the Dodgers and Yankees had only one sweep, and that was 61 years ago. With this win, Los Angeles has now won seven consecutive World Series games against the Yankees, dating back to their 1981 championship.
The game marked the first World Series contest at Yankee Stadium since the Yankees clinched their 27th title against the Phillies in 2009. Unfortunately for New York fans, the homecoming did not boost the team’s performance, as the Yankees have struggled offensively, managing only four runs and nine hits in their last two games.
The Yankees finally scored in the ninth inning, with Alex Verdugo hitting a two-run homer off Michael Kopech. However, Kopech closed the game by retiring Gleyber Torres.
Buehler allowed just two hits over five innings and has now improved to 4-4 in 18 career postseason starts. His postseason ERA is a remarkable 0.50 across three World Series appearances.
“It’s strange. The playoffs and big games are all that matter to me,” Buehler reflected. “When it comes to playoff time, the adrenaline takes over, and I can push aside any fears about my injury.”
Despite their recent struggles at the plate, Boone opted to keep the lineup largely unchanged. The Yankees held a brief meeting before the game, and a recording of late public-address announcer Bob Sheppard introduced five-time World Series champion Derek Jeter, who threw out a ceremonial first pitch. Bronx-born rapper Fat Joe energized the crowd of 49,368 with a pregame performance.
However, it was the Dodgers who seized the momentum early. Schmidt walked Ohtani on four pitches to start the game. Freeman then capitalized with a 355-foot home run into the lower deck in right field.
Ohtani finished the game 0-for-3, but the pain in his shoulder subsided, allowing him to play through discomfort. He wore a device to keep his shoulder warm and managed to avoid aggravating his injury.
The Dodgers continued to build their lead, with Betts driving in a run with a bloop single in the third and Kiké Hernández adding another RBI single in the sixth. Schmidt struggled with control, walking four batters over 2⅔ innings and has now lost five straight decisions since mid-May.
New York displayed some impressive defense, including a perfect throw from Teoscar Hernández to cut down a runner at home plate. However, it wasn’t enough to stop the Dodgers, who remain in prime position to clinch the championship in Game 4.
UP NEXT:
The series continues Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. The Dodgers plan to utilize their fourth bullpen game of the postseason, while rookie right-hander Luis Gil will take the mound for New York, aiming to prevent the sweep.