Dodgers Stun Yankees in Game 1 of World Series with Freddie Freeman’s Epic Walk-Off Grand Slam

Game 1 of the World Series was everything fans hoped for and more, delivering heart-stopping action that climaxed in a dramatic, Hollywood-style ending. In a storybook twist, Freddie Freeman launched the first game-ending grand slam in World Series history with two outs in the 10th inning, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees.

Hobbled by a severely sprained right ankle, Freeman took to the plate determined, facing Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes, who hadn’t thrown since mid-September due to an elbow injury. On the first pitch, a 92 mph fastball inside, Freeman connected in unforgettable fashion. The crowd of 52,394 erupted as he raised his bat high and began his trot around the bases, evoking memories of Kirk Gibson’s iconic 1988 homer at Dodger Stadium against the Oakland Athletics.

Freeman, an eight-time All-Star, had battled through the National League playoffs with his ankle injury and had only recorded a triple in the first inning on Friday as his first extra-base hit this postseason. After his homer, he ran straight to his father, celebrating an unforgettable family moment on the field.

The game’s tension began early, with Giancarlo Stanton launching a two-run homer for the Yankees in this much-hyped clash between two storied franchises. This marked the third consecutive World Series opener to go into extra innings, each one adding to the sense of drama that had Dodger Stadium buzzing.

In the top of the 10th, the Yankees seemed poised for a decisive moment of their own. Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled off Blake Treinen and quickly swiped second base. Following an intentional walk to Anthony Rizzo, Chisholm stole third, capitalizing on a slow pitch by Treinen with Max Muncy playing deep at third. Anthony Volpe then grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored Chisholm, giving the Yankees a 3-2 lead as Dodger Stadium fell silent.

However, the Dodgers weren’t finished. With one out in the bottom of the 10th, Gavin Lux worked a walk against Yankees reliever Jake Cousins. A ground-ball single by Tommy Edman followed, sneaking past a diving Oswaldo Cabrera in the outfield and advancing Lux to second. Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ two-way star, was up next, but Yankees manager Aaron Boone brought in lefty Cortes from the bullpen for his first appearance in over a month. Cortes got Ohtani to pop out on his first pitch, a momentarily hopeful turn for New York as left fielder Alex Verdugo made an acrobatic catch in foul territory. But when Verdugo tumbled over the wall, the runners were awarded an extra base by rule.

With first base open, Boone intentionally walked Mookie Betts to set up a lefty-on-lefty matchup between Cortes and Freeman. And that gamble cost the Yankees dearly.

Freeman’s homer is only the third walk-off home run in World Series history for a team trailing, joining the legendary moments of Kirk Gibson in 1988 and Joe Carter’s series-clincher in 1993 for Toronto. It also marked only the second game-ending grand slam in MLB postseason history, following Nelson Cruz’s in the 2011 ALCS.

In a matchup already rich with stars and storylines, Game 1 will be remembered as a classic in Dodgers-Yankees lore, thanks to Freeman’s unforgettable swing.

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