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Freeman slam lifts Dodgers over Yankees

By Manila Times - 11 hours ago

LOS ANGELES, California — 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 (Saturday in Manila).

Freeman, restored to the lineup after a nagging ankle injury, cracked 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 92-miles-per-hour fastball 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 — the first walk-off grand slam in a World Series game. "But it's only one, we've got three more."

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series takes place on Saturday.

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.

An elated Freeman joked that he had almost had an out-of-body experience as he rounded the bases before being mobbed by teammates as roars of "Freddie, Freddie" cascaded down from the sold-out Dodger Stadium stands.

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.

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