Los Angeles Dodgers survive late comeback attempt by New York Yankees to take 2-0 lead in World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium, extending their series lead to 2-0. Although the Dodgers maintained control for most of the game, the Yankees mounted a late comeback attempt in the ninth inning, ultimately stranding the bases loaded.

Following their historic Game 1 triumph, the Dodgers’ offense came out strong, eager to build on their momentum. Tommy Edman, the National League Championship Series (NLCS) MVP, got things started with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning, giving Los Angeles a 1-0 advantage.

However, the Yankees quickly responded. Juan Soto connected for a solo home run in the top of the third, tying the game at 1-1. The tie was short-lived, though, as the Dodgers unleashed a barrage of runs in the bottom of the third. Teoscar Hernández launched a two-run homer, followed by a blast from Freddie Freeman, the hero of Game 1. This back-to-back power display propelled the Dodgers to a commanding 4-1 lead, igniting the home crowd’s excitement.

Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was dominant on the mound, striking out four batters and allowing just one hit over 6.1 innings. He exited to a standing ovation, reflecting the fans’ appreciation for his stellar performance. The Los Angeles bullpen kept the Yankees at bay for most of the game, until trouble brewed in the ninth inning.

With the Yankees trailing by three runs, Soto singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch, reigniting New York’s hopes. Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen struck out Aaron Judge but faced a challenge when Giancarlo Stanton drove in the Yankees’ second run, narrowing the gap to 4-2.

The Yankees’ offense continued to apply pressure. Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with a single, and Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. In a pivotal moment reminiscent of Yankees great Derek Jeter, shortstop Anthony Volpe struck out for the second out of the inning. The Dodgers opted to pull Treinen and brought in Alex Vesia to close out the game.

Vesia managed to contain the Yankees’ rally by getting pinch hitter Jose Trevino to fly out to center field, securing the win for the Dodgers and maintaining their 2-0 series lead. With just two more victories needed to claim their eighth World Series title, the Dodgers are on the brink of history.

After the game, Edman reflected on his postseason performance, stating, “This is everything I could have imagined. This is what you work for as a baseball player. You grind your whole life, take thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of swings in batting practice, just constantly working.”

He added, “The swing’s never going to be perfect, but you try to get as close as you can. For it to come through on this stage has been really special. It’s definitely been a dream of mine for a while.”

Despite the victory, a potential concern looms for the Dodgers. Superstar Shohei Ohtani exited the game in the bottom of the seventh after appearing to injure his left shoulder while attempting to steal a base. He remained on the ground in pain before leaving the field with trainers, raising concerns about his status for the remainder of the series.

As the Dodgers prepare to head to the Bronx for Game 3, scheduled for Monday at 8:08 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium, the focus will be on both their quest for the championship and Ohtani’s health. The team will need to rally together and navigate the challenges ahead, hoping to maintain their winning momentum and secure the title that has eluded them for years.