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Yankees explode for 11 runs over Dodgers in World Series Game 4: Highlights, recap, stats

Yankees explode for 11 runs over Dodgers in World Series Game 4: Highlights, recap, stats

The Yankees aren't done yet. They cruised to an 11-4 victory after scoring a total of just seven runs in the first three games of this series. Now the pressure is shifting back to the Dodgers, and Gerrit Cole is on the doorstep.

This game started inauspiciously for the Yankees when Freddie Freeman struck out Luis Gil deep in the first inning. That gave the Dodgers a quick 2-0 lead for the second straight season, as Freeman became the first player in major league history to hit a home run in six consecutive World Series games.

Then things seemed to go haywire at Yankee Stadium when Mookie Betts jumped into the crowd to catch a foul ball from Gleyber Torres but was grabbed by two fans. The first put their hand in Betts' glove to block the ball, while the others held on to his off-hand. The out was granted and both were thrown out of the stadium to horrifying applause from their fellow fans.

But the bizarre moment seemed to re-energize the Yankees' supporters as spirits returned to the stadium after Freeman's home run had left them dead. They threatened in the bottom of the first and then scored a run in the second after Alex Verdugo hit Anthony Volpe with an RBI groundout. Moments earlier, Volpe only advanced from second base to third base thanks to a double by Austin Wells. Luckily for the Yankees, that run still managed to score.

Volpe immediately made up for his baserunning mistake with a loud two-out grand slam against Daniel Hudson in the following inning. He became the fourth-youngest player to hit a grand slam in the World Series and gave the Yankees their first lead since Game 1. He added a double, a stolen base and a run in the eighth inning. For this lifelong Yankee fan and New Jersey native, there seemed to be an added layer of emotion as he played hero throughout.

All the while, Gil kept the Dodgers at bay. After Freeman's blast, he hit just two over the minimum in the fourth inning, putting his team in position to jump ahead. However, this game started to get close again after Will Smith scored classic home run at Yankee Stadium from Gil, who landed in the front row behind the short porch in right field. He then walked Tommy Edman and was removed from the game after just four innings.

Tim Hill and Clay Holmes combined to ensure that the top of the Dodgers lineup had just one run left in that inning and put together a parade of Yankee relievers who got big out after big out during this game in remained close in the middle of the inning.

On the other hand, Landon Knack spent four innings for the Dodgers in their scheduled bullpen game, keeping their top relievers out for action in the fifth game. He also performed admirably, allowing just one run via a long home run from Wells to keep the Dodgers within striking distance. Until Brent Honeywell allowed a three-run home run to Gleyber Torres to open the game late.

The Yankees made a statement, powered by bottom-hitting Volpe and their bullpen. Even Aaron Judge hit a late single as their offense exploded while the Dodgers – except for Freeman – faltered. It's worth noting that Shohei Ohtani is a very quiet 2 of 15 in this series as he battles a shoulder injury.

Now Cole faces a duel with Jack Flaherty for the chance to extend this streak by another game.

Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday at 8:08 p.m. ET.

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