The Los Angeles Dodgers came up short in their chance to sweep the New York Yankees, but Freddie Freeman continued swinging a hot bat in Game 4 and made World Series history in the process.
Freeman’s home run in the first inning gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead and set the World Series record for consecutive games with a long ball at six.
Freeman entered play Tuesday night tied with George Springer for the MLB record of hitting a home run five World Series games in a row.
“Obviously it felt good in the first inning,” Freeman said after the Dodgers’ 11-4 loss. “I’ll look back on it, hopefully when we get this thing done tomorrow. Pretty cool, obviously. Hopefully I can keep it going.”
Freeman’s World Series home run streak began in 2021 with the Atlanta Braves and has carried into this year’s Fall Classic.
The power production is in stark contrast to what was seen during the National League Division Series and Championship Series. Freeman missed two NLCS games because of his sprained right ankle and did not have an extra-base hit this October until legging out a triple in Game 1 of the World Series.
“I probably would’ve laughed,” Freeman answered when asked what his response would have been two weeks ago if told he would make World Series history.
“A lot better. We got out of the woods on that,” he added of the right ankle sprain. “Obviously it’s still swollen, but I feel good, I’m in a good spot. You saw me flying down the line. I feel good and I have no concerns about it right now.”
Freeman assuring he’s in better health was further evident when he beat out a would-be inning-ending double play in the fifth. Freeman’s ability to get down the line allowed the Dodgers to score a second run in the inning and cut their deficit to 5-4.
“We have a good treatment plan going that’s about three hours. It gets me in a good spot, gets the swelling out, I do mobilities and I’m feeling pretty good,” he said.
That sequence also gave Freeman the World Series record for most RBI (10) through the first four games. Data goes back to when RBI became an official stat in 1920.
Freeman took the MLB postseason record from Lou Gehrig (1928), Bobby Richardson (1960) and Tony Fernandez (1993), who each had nine RBI in the first four games of respective World Series.
“If I’m on the field, I expect to play well,” Freeman said.
“That’s just how I am. I obviously didn’t play well the first couple series but I’m glad I’m able to do it right now.”
Freddie Freeman’s World Series home run streak
2021 World Series
Oct. 31: third inning of Game 5
Nov. 2: seventh inning of Game 6
2024 World Series
Oct. 25: 10th inning of Game 1
Oct. 26: third inning of Game 2
Oct. 28: first inning of Game 3
Oct. 29: first inning of Game 4
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