Just when it looked like the New York Yankees would send the World Series back to the West for a Game 6, a series of ill-timed defensive errors cost the Bombers five runs to tie the game in the fifth inning.

Leading by five runs in the top of the fifth, Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole faced a two-out, bases-loaded situation against the Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then all hell broke loose in the Bronx.

With the score 1-0, Betts dribbled a slider to first base in what should have been a routine ground ball for the Yankees to get out of trouble. Instead, Cole seemingly forgot to perform one of the most basic defensive responsibilities pitchers face.

“FIRST NOBODY! INCREDIBLE! HORRIBLE DEFENSE BY THE YANKEES THAT LEADS DIRECTLY TO A DODGER RUN IN THE FIFTH!” – Joe Davis on the Dodgers-Yankees Game 5 call for Fox ⚾️🎙️ #WorldSeries #MLB pic.twitter.com/tY2uvtzNsW https://t.co/WmXUlA4lTa

— Terrible announcement (@awfulannouncing) October 31, 2024

“Ground ball right side. Rizzo. No one at first! Incredible! Horrible Yankees defense that led directly to a Dodger run in the fifth,” Fox’s lead MLB play-by-play announcer Joe Davis exclaimed. Cole’s failure to clear first base was completely baffling, and certainly had every Little League coach in America yelling at the TV.

But unfortunately for Yankees fans, the blunder bonanza didn’t end there. After the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman singled in two more runs, Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge misplayed a fly ball off the wall, allowing two more runners to score. Earlier in the inning, Judge dropped a routine popout that put runners on base.

THE DEVELOPERS HAVE NOW BOUND IT!

Five runs by the Dodgers in a disastrous defensive inning by the Yankees.

Hopefully Tom Emanski isn’t watching.⚾️#WorldSeries #MLB pic.twitter.com/f5vFCdbTIW

— Terrible announcement (@awfulannouncing) October 31, 2024

Fortunately, the Yanks got out of the inning with only five runners crossing home plate. They managed to bounce back in the sixth inning and regained a one-run lead. But if they can’t close it now, there will be plenty of blame.

(Terrible announcement on X)