A thrilling "grand slam" by shortstop Anthony Volpe in the third inning propelled the New York Yankees to an 11-4 triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, staving off a sweep and pushing the 2024 Major League Baseball World Series to a fifth game.
In front of a spirited home crowd at Yankee Stadium, the team had to overcome an early deficit. This came after Freddie Freeman launched a home run—his sixth consecutive in the Fall Classic—right in the first inning with Mookie Betts on base.
However, Volpe's powerful hit against Daniel Hudson's first pitch altered the course of the game. "I don't know how I got it, but I just took off running and was in disbelief afterward," Volpe shared with the press after the match.
Austin Wells added to the Yankees' dominance with a solo home run in the sixth inning, solidifying the lead and boosting the team's confidence, as they continued to pile on runs to secure their position.
Moreover, the Yankees' bullpen played a crucial role, preventing the Dodgers from scoring in the final five innings. Relievers Tim Hill, Clay Holmes, Mark Leiter Jr., Luke Weaver, and Tim Mayza combined efforts to blank the Dodgers, ensuring the Yankees avoided their first World Series sweep since 1976.
The pivotal fifth game, the final one of the season at Yankee Stadium, is set for Wednesday. Gerrit Cole will take the mound for New York, with Jack Flaherty pitching for Los Angeles, in a rematch of the Game 1 pitching duel.