Dodgers win Game 1/ Freddie Freeman grand slam/ Yankees vs Dodgers/ World Series opener/ MLB 2024 playoffs/ walk-off grand slam/ LA Dodgers/ Yankees rivalry/ Newslooks/ LOS ANGELES/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam made history in the Dodgers’ 6-3 win over the Yankees in the World Series opener. His tenth-inning blast capped a thrilling Game 1, as both teams showcased standout performances in a closely contested matchup.
Freeman’s Historic Walk-Off Grand Slam Quick Look
- Freeman’s Big Moment: Freeman launched a walk-off grand slam, the first in World Series history.
- Thrilling Game 1: Dodgers took a 6-3 victory in a nail-biting, extra-inning opener.
- Dodgers’ Key Plays: Shohei Ohtani, Gavin Lux, and Mookie Betts contributed to LA’s comeback.
- Yankees’ Power: Giancarlo Stanton’s two-run homer highlighted New York’s scoring.
- Pitching Duel: Gerrit Cole and Jack Flaherty held strong early in a scoreless standoff.
- What’s Next: Game 2 pits Carlos Rodón against Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto at Dodger Stadium.
Freeman’s Walk-Off Grand Slam Seals Dodgers’ Game 1 Win Over Yankees
Deep Look
In a World Series opener packed with drama, Freddie Freeman delivered an unforgettable moment with the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history, securing a 6-3 victory for the Los Angeles Dodgers over the New York Yankees in the 10th inning. A capacity crowd at Dodger Stadium witnessed the historic swing that capped a thrilling back-and-forth Game 1 between two of baseball’s most storied franchises.
Freeman, despite battling a severely sprained ankle, crushed a 92-mph fastball from Yankees’ reliever Nestor Cortes into the right-field pavilion. The monumental home run brought the sold-out stadium to its feet, as Freeman celebrated the stunning victory with teammates and fans. Reflecting on the moment, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts marveled, calling it “the greatest baseball moment” he had ever seen.
The night’s Hollywood finish drew immediate comparisons to Kirk Gibson’s iconic walk-off homer in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, also at Dodger Stadium. However, while Gibson’s legendary shot was a pinch-hit in dramatic fashion, Freeman played the entire game, battling through his injury to give the Dodgers a storybook win.
Freeman’s father was in the stands, and Freeman rushed to share the victory with him, a moment he described as deeply meaningful. “He’s been there since I was a little boy, throwing batting practice every day,” Freeman said. “This is our moment.”
Yankees and Dodgers Showcase Star Power in Extra-Inning Duel
The night’s scoring opened with Giancarlo Stanton’s two-run homer in the sixth inning, which put the Yankees up 2-1. Stanton, the reigning ALCS MVP and a California native, launched the 412-foot blast off Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty, marking his sixth home run of the postseason. Stanton’s powerful swing on a knuckle-curve sent the ball flying at 116.6 mph, underscoring his postseason dominance.
The Dodgers responded to Stanton’s homer with Mookie Betts’ sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, scoring Shohei Ohtani after his double off the right-field wall and a Yankees misplay. This crucial run tied the game at 2-2, setting the stage for a tense finish in extra innings.
In the top of the 10th, Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. scored the go-ahead run after stealing two bases. His aggressive base running forced the Dodgers’ Blake Treinen to intentionally walk Anthony Rizzo before Anthony Volpe’s grounder sent Chisholm racing home. With a 3-2 lead, the Yankees appeared poised to secure a Game 1 win.
Yet, the Dodgers showed resilience in the bottom of the 10th. Gavin Lux worked a walk, advanced to second on Tommy Edman’s single, and then both players advanced on Alex Verdugo’s foul-territory catch that sent him tumbling over the wall. With first base open, the Yankees walked Mookie Betts intentionally to bring up Freeman with the bases loaded, hoping for a lefty-on-lefty advantage with Cortes on the mound. Freeman, however, was ready for the inside fastball, sending it into the stands to claim a 6-3 victory.
World Series History Made and Revisited
Freeman’s game-winner marked only the third time in World Series history that a team hit a walk-off home run when trailing, joining Gibson’s legendary swing in 1988 and Joe Carter’s World Series-winning blast for Toronto in 1993. It was also only the second time in postseason history that a walk-off grand slam ended a game, with Nelson Cruz achieving the first in the 2011 American League Championship Series.
Game 1 showcased strong pitching performances from starters on both sides. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, and Dodgers’ Jack Flaherty traded scoreless frames through the first four innings. Cole kept LA’s lineup at bay, recording six strikeouts, while Flaherty minimized damage even as Stanton’s sixth-inning homer briefly shifted the momentum.
This Series marks the 12th postseason clash between the Dodgers and Yankees, two teams with deep playoff histories and loyal fan bases. Although their last October face-off occurred 43 years ago, these teams continue to carry the weight of dynastic rivalry, with the Dodgers aiming for their eighth championship and the Yankees seeking their 28th title after a 15-year World Series absence.
Dodgers and Yankees Face Key Decisions Heading Into Game 2
Both teams head into Game 2 with high expectations and questions to address. The Dodgers are counting on $325 million rookie sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who enters with a 5.11 ERA this postseason, to face Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón. Rodón, who has struck out 22 batters over 14 1/3 innings this postseason, will look to keep the Yankees in the mix after the team’s narrow loss in Game 1.
For the Dodgers, Freeman’s dramatic homer has set the tone for what promises to be a hard-fought series. As fans in Los Angeles celebrate the opener, they’ll be hoping for continued resilience and more standout performances from stars like Betts and Ohtani, whose contributions helped bring LA back from the brink.
As the series unfolds, Dodgers fans will be looking back on the memory of Fernando Valenzuela, the 1981 Cy Young winner and Rookie of the Year, who was honored with a moment of silence before Game 1 following his recent passing at 63.
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