Freddie Freeman blasted a sensational walk-off grand slam as the Los Angeles Dodgers came from behind to defeat the New York Yankees 6-3 in a thrilling World Series opener on Friday.
Freeman, restored to the line-up after a nagging ankle injury, blasted a 423-foot two-out home run in the 10th inning to hand the Dodgers an electrifying victory at Dodger Stadium.
The Yankees looked to have snatched a precious advantage after Jazz Chisholm scampered home to give the Bronx Bombers a 3-2 lead in the top of the 10th.
The Dodgers were then left staring at defeat after watching the Yankees notch two outs in the bottom of the inning to stand on the brink of victory.
But after New York loaded the bases with an intentional walk of Mookie Betts, Freeman stepped up to the plate with one last chance to snatch victory.
Yankees reliever Nestor Cortes sent down a 92mph fast ball and Freeman caught it on the full and sent it soaring into right field in a moment of pure theater that was straight out of Hollywood.
“That’s a dream come true,” Freeman said after his winning moon-shot. “But it’s only one, we’ve got three more.”
Former MVP Freeman has struggled to find his best form this postseason after turning an ankle just before the playoffs.
But the 35-year-old first baseman delivered in the clutch with a moment that is destined to become part of the folklore of World Series history.
The defeat was desperately cruel on the Yankees, who behind a superb pitching performance from starter Gerrit Cole had largely kept the Dodgers vaunted offense led by Shohei Ohtani quiet.
The Dodgers had taken the lead with a run from Enrique Hernandez in the fifth inning after Will Smith’s sacrifice fly.
But the Yankees hit back in the sixth inning with a two-run home run from Giancarlo Stanton to take a 2-1 lead.
The Dodgers tied it up in the bottom of the eighth inning after Betts’ sacrifice fly allowed Ohtani to come home.
That sent the game to extra-innings and the Yankees appeared poised to snatch victory after Chisholm’s run.
But Freeman provided a startling full-stop to a night of nerve-shredding drama as the hoped-for blockbuster between the two historical rivals unfolded.
Game two in the best of seven series takes place on Saturday.
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