The New York Yankees’ much-anticipated rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers played out like déjà vu on Friday night, as New York watched a three-run lead slip away in a painful 8-5 defeat at Dodger Stadium, echoing the collapse that ended their 2024 World Series run.
New York came out swinging, launching four home runs in the first three innings. Aaron Judge set the tone with a solo blast in the first, followed by homers from Austin Wells, Trent Grisham, and Paul Goldschmidt to build a 5-2 cushion. However, the offense stalled from there, and the pitching couldn’t hold up its end.
Starter Max Fried, who entered the night with a sparkling 1.29 ERA, looked human for the first time this season. After a solid stretch through the middle innings, things unraveled in the sixth. Ohtani’s second homer sparked a rally, and after three consecutive hits, Fried exited with two runners on and no outs. The bullpen couldn’t hold the lead, allowing four runs in the frame, including a bases-loaded walk that gave the Dodgers their first advantage.
The struggles continued in the seventh, as Yerry De Los Santos allowed two more runs, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 8-5. The Yankees had a chance in the eighth, putting runners on the corners with no outs, but couldn’t capitalize. Trent Grisham led off the ninth with a single, but once again they failed to do any damage as L.A. closed it out.
Will Warren will take the ball on Saturday as the Yankees look to even the three-game series at a game apiece. The first pitch is slated for 7:15 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].