Yankees Win World Series Game 4 over Dodgers

The New York Yankees, facing the brink of elimination, roared back to life in Game 4 of the 2024 World Series, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 at Yankee Stadium. The victory, highlighted by a stunning grand slam from shortstop Anthony Volpe, staved off a Dodgers sweep and forced a Game 5 in the Bronx.

The Yankees entered the game trailing 3-0 in the series, with their season hanging by a thread. The Dodgers, who had dominated the first three games, were looking to clinch their eighth World Series title. But on Tuesday night, it was the Yankees who found their rhythm, powered by an explosive offensive performance that had been missing throughout much of the series.

The game began ominously for New York as Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman continued his historic postseason tear. Freeman blasted a two-run homer in the first inning off Yankees starter Luis Gil, giving Los Angeles an early 2-0 lead. It was Freeman’s sixth consecutive World Series game with a home run, setting a new MLB record and further cementing his status as one of baseball’s most dangerous postseason hitters.

However, the Yankees quickly responded. In the bottom of the second inning, Anthony Volpe drew a walk and stole second base before scoring on an RBI groundout by Alex Verdugo. This cut the Dodgers’ lead to 2-1 and set the stage for what would become one of the most memorable moments of Volpe’s young career.

In the third inning, with two outs and the bases loaded, Volpe stepped up to face Dodgers reliever Daniel Hudson. The 23-year-old shortstop took advantage of a hanging slider and launched a towering grand slam over the left-field wall, sending Yankee Stadium into a frenzy. The blast gave New York a 5-2 lead and marked the turning point in both the game and potentially the series. It was Volpe’s first career grand slam and only his second home run of this postseason, but it could not have come at a more critical moment.

Volpe’s heroics didn’t stop there. He added a double later in the game and stole another base, becoming the first player in World Series history to record four RBIs and two stolen bases in a single game. His performance was emblematic of an offensive resurgence for New York that had been sorely lacking in Games 1 through 3.

While Volpe’s grand slam was undoubtedly the highlight of the night, he wasn’t alone in carrying the Yankees’ offense. Catcher Austin Wells also had a standout performance from the bottom of the lineup, going 2-for-3 with a home run and a double. Gleyber Torres provided additional insurance late in the game with a three-run homer that broke things wide open in the eighth inning.

On the pitching side, Luis Gil overcame his shaky start to keep New York in contention. After Freeman’s early homer, Gil settled down and allowed just one more run before being pulled in the fifth inning. The Yankees’ bullpen then took over and delivered clutch performances to hold off any potential Dodgers comeback. Tim Hill and Clay Holmes combined to limit Los Angeles to just one additional run over several tense middle innings.

For Los Angeles, Tuesday night’s loss was not without its own silver linings. Despite being forced into a bullpen game due to injuries among their starting rotation, rookie Ben Casparius performed admirably in his first career postseason start. And while Daniel Hudson gave up Volpe’s grand slam, Landon Knack provided four solid innings of relief that kept Los Angeles within striking distance until Brent Honeywell Jr. allowed Torres’ late homer.

The Dodgers will now have to regroup as they prepare for Game 5 on Wednesday night. With ace Jack Flaherty set to take the mound for Los Angeles against Yankees star Gerrit Cole, both teams know that momentum can shift quickly in October baseball.

For now, though, it is Anthony Volpe who stands as New York’s unlikely hero—a local kid from New Jersey who grew up dreaming of moments like this. His grand slam not only saved his team’s season but also gave Yankee fans hope that their quest for title number 28 is far from over.

Game 5 promises to be another thrilling chapter in this storied rivalry between two of baseball’s most iconic franchises.