Freddie Freeman hit the first game-ending grand slam in World Series history with two outs in the 10th inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in a dramatic opener Friday night.
Hobbled by a badly sprained ankle, Freeman homered on the first pitch he saw – an inside fastball from Nestor Cortes – and raised his bat high before beginning his trot as the sellout crowd of 52,394 roared.
It was reminiscent of Kirk Gibson’s game-ending homer that lifted Los Angeles over the Oakland Athletics in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series at Dodger Stadium – one of the most famous swings in baseball lore.
Gibson, sidelined by leg injuries, came off the bench and connected off Hall of Fame closer Dennis Eckersley.
Freeman, who missed three games during the National League playoffs because of the injury to his right ankle, didn’t have an extra-base hit this postseason until legging out a triple earlier on Friday.
In this much-hyped, star-studded World Series between two of baseball’s most storied and successful franchises, Game 1 certainly delivered.
It was the third straight Series opener to go extra innings.
In the top of the 10th, Anthony Volpe grounded into a fielder’s choice to shortstop, scoring Jazz Chisholm Jr from third after he stole two bases, to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead.
The speedy Chisholm singled off Blake Treinen and then stole second and third for a Yankees team not known for speed.
