Freeman delivers in grand style - Pasadena Star-News

WORLD SERIES

Freeman delivers in grand style

Walk-off grand slam to win 6-3 in Game 1 against Yankees is a historic first

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman is mobbed by teammates Friday night after hitting a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning to defeat the New York Yankees 6-3 and win Game 1 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium. Freeman’s home run came with the Dodgers down to their last out. Keith Birmingham — staff photographer

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Dodgers and Yankees fans watch Game 1 at Dodger Stadium on Friday. Sarah Reingewirtz — staff photographer

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By Todd Harmonson

tharmonson@scng.com

LOS ANGELES — A night that started with a tribute to one 1980s Dodgers star ended with a walk-off grand slam that could’ve been an homage to another.

Hours after the Dodgers honored Fernando Valenzuela, who died Tuesday, Freddie Freeman saved them in Game 1 of the World Series with a first-pitch slam off the New York Yankees’ Nestor Cortes with two outs in the 10th inning to lift the Dodgers to a 6-3 victory Friday at Dodger Stadium.

Like Kirk Gibson in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, Freeman delivered when the Dodgers were down to their last out. He even was nursing an injury like Gibson.

Freeman’s blast was the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history.

SEE REPORT IN SPORTS Inside: Fernando Valenzuela tributes. A8