Dodgers studied Yankees' defensive, baserunning shortcomings that led to crushing World Series defeat: report

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

The top of the fifth inning Wednesday night was an absolute nightmare for the New York Yankees.

In an alternate universe, the Yankees have a 3-2 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the World Series Friday.

However, the Yankees had one of the worst defensive innings of all time in Game 5, just a few days after some miscues in Game 1. 

Both games were Dodger victories.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto, right, reacts with outfielder Aaron Judge after Judge dropped a fly ball during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 5 of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium.  (James Lang/Imagn Images)

On Wednesday night, the Yankees were on their way to becoming the first team to force a Game 6 in the Fall Classic after trailing 3-0 in the series and getting out to a 5-0 lead. Then, the sky fell.

In the fifth inning, Aaron Judge dropped a routine fly ball to put runners on first and second and no outs. Then, Jazz Chisholm couldn’t handle a short throw at third, which loaded the bases. Gerrit Cole got two big outs, but on what should have been the third, he didn’t cover first base, which kept the inning going. 

The Dodgers saw an opportunity and pounced. Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernandez each drove in two runs to tie the game at five. 

None of this was by accident where the Dodgers were concerned.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge makes a fielding error during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium.  (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)

JUAN SOTO RECEIVES INTEREST FROM NUMEROUS TEAMS