LOS ANGELES — Steve Pearce joined the party in progress. The Boston Red Sox added him in a trade in June, a month before the nonwaiver trading deadline, just in time to face a Yankees left-hander in the Bronx. Pearce doubled in his first at-bat.

He had always been curious about life as a member of the Red Sox. He was born and raised in Lakeland, Fla., but he rooted for the Boston sports teams because his family had roots in New England.

“I was brainwashed as a kid,” he said.

On Sunday at Dodger Stadium, in Game 5 of the World Series, Pearce helped his adopted fan base add another jewel to its crown. He started and ended the scoring with home runs, leading the Red Sox to a 5-1 victory and their fourth championship in 15 seasons.

[Read an inning-by-inning recap of Game 5 of the 2018 World Series.]

“This has been a lifelong journey, and to be here right now is a dream come true,” said Pearce, who hit .333 with three homers and drove in eight runs to win most valuable player in the series. “Best feeling in my life.”