A high-tension duel throughout the night had a Hollywood-like ending: in an unprecedented event in the World Series, Freddie Freeman ended the game with a Grand Slam with two outs in the tenth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 6-3 on Friday in an exciting start to the Fall Classic.
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"This could be the best moment I've ever seen in baseball, and I've seen some great ones," marveled Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
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How was Freddie Freeman's home run?
Affected by a severe ankle sprain, Freeman hit a home run on the first pitch he saw, an inside fastball offered by Cuban Néstor Cortes. Immediately after, the star dropped the bat and began trotting as he was greeted with a roar by the crowd of 52,394 spectators that filled Dodger Stadium.
"I can't believe what just happened," Roberts expressed. "This is what makes the Fall Classic a classic, right? Because stars emerge and superstars make big plays, get big hits in the most important moments... Now I am speechless."
The scene brought to mind the one starring Kirk Gibson, who ended the first game of the 1988 World Series against the Oakland Athletics with a home run at Dodger Stadium. This is one of the most famous home runs in baseball history.
Gibson, sidelined by a series of leg injuries, came in as a pinch hitter and hit a home run off Dennis Eckersley, renowned Hall of Fame closer. At that moment, the Dodgers were losing 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning.
"But I played the whole game," Freeman emphasized with a smile.
Freeman, who missed three games of the National League playoffs due to an issue with his right ankle, had not hit an extra-base hit in the postseason, until Friday's game, when he ran at full speed to turn a double into a triple.
After hitting the grand slam, Freeman ran towards his father. "I was just screaming in his face. I'm sorry, dad," recounted the former first baseman of the Atlanta Braves. "He's been here since I was a little kid. We used to practice throwing and hitting every day. So this was also my dad's moment."
A first game full of emotions
In this highly anticipated World Series full of stars, between two of the most successful baseball franchises that have faced each other 12 times in the "Fall Classic," the first game did not disappoint.
In the top of the tenth inning, Anthony Volpe hit a ground ball to the shortstop for a run-scoring play that brought Jazz Chisholm Jr. in from third base, who had stolen two bases, giving the Yankees a 3-2 lead.
But the Dodgers had a dramatic ending scheduled.
Gavin Lux negotiated a walk from Jake Cousins with one out in the bottom of the tenth inning and advanced to second base with an infield single by Tommy Edman. Venezuelan Oswaldo Cabrera couldn't contain the ball as he slid with his glove, he grazed the ball with the glove, but it went to the outfield.
He brought Shohei Ohtani, a left-handed batter, to the batter's box. The Yankees' manager, Aaron Boone, once again turned to his bullpen to put Cortés on the mound, a left-handed starter who hadn't pitched since September 18 due to an elbow injury.
Alex Verdugo ran to left field to catch a foul ball and retire Ohtani. The Mexican fell on the other side of the fence, which allowed the runners to advance one base by rule. With first base empty, New York intentionally walked Mookie Betts to load the bases. This was followed by the lefty duel between Cortés and Freeman.
Did Aaron Boone make a mistake in bringing in Cortés?
A major controversy erupted in the New York media over the decision of the Yankees' criticized manager to bring Cortés in as a reliever, who had not pitched since September 18 due to an injury and is also a starter. The Cuban pitcher started 30 games this season with a record of 9-10 and an ERA of 3.77.
Boone also had another left-handed option in Tim Hill, who is a reliever and proved to be very reliable during this postseason playoffs.
One of the main critics was Michael Kay, commentator and broadcaster of the regular season games of the Yankees on YES Network: "I don't care about Nestor Cortes' numbers against Ohtani. He hadn't pitched since September 18. Those numbers are as a starter. Tim Hill has been flawless for the Yankees. That's the guy you should bring in. I don't care how he looked in the bullpen. It didn't seem like the right move."
The Yankees have the opportunity to make up for it this Saturday night (8 pm EST) in Game 2 against the Dodgers, again at Chavez Ravine.