AP Sports SummaryBrief at 11:48 p.m. EDT

By The Associated Press

Freeman hits 1st game-ending slam in World Series history as Dodgers top Yankees 6-3 in opener

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Freddie Freeman hit the first game-ending grand slam in World Series history with two outs in the 10th inning, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in a dramatic opener Friday night. Hobbled by a badly sprained ankle, Freeman homered on the first pitch he saw — an inside fastball from Nestor Cortes — and then dropped his bat before beginning a trot while greeted with a roar from the sellout crowd of 52,394. In the top of the 10th, Anthony Volpe grounded into a fielder’s choice to shortstop, scoring Jazz Chisholm Jr. from third after he stole two bases, to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. It was the third straight World Series opener to go extra innings.

Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch in the World Series, but that’s not slowing Ohtanimania

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The race was on to reach Shohei Ohtani first. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar waited calmly as a horde of media rushed toward him on the eve of his first World Series. He didn’t flinch at the wall of cameras and microphones shoved toward him to capture his every thought. Some of Ohtani’s teammates laughed as they watched the chaotic scene. Ohtani patiently answered questions about his excitement at making the World Series after six losing seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, how his dog Decoy will likely be at the games and traded compliments with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.

Juan Soto opens the World Series on his 26th birthday with baseball abuzz about his future

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Back at Dodger Stadium, Juan Soto is in the spotlight as the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers meet in the World Series for the first time in 43 years. Soto was questioned at the 2022 All-Star Game over his decision to turn down Washington’s $440 million, 15-year offer — what would have been the biggest deal in baseball history. Hours later, the 23-year-old won the Home Run Derby. He is back Yankees gray on an even grander World Series stage, and the buzz around his next prodigious payday persisted ahead of the opener on Friday — his 26th birthday.

Yankees vs Dodgers: The World Series’ most frequent rivalry through the years

In the beginning, the World Series matchup of the Dodgers against the Yankees was a kind of charming intra-city showdown of two New York City boroughs, blue collar Brooklyn, equipped with a neighborhood called Gravesend, against the pretentious Bronx, with the fancy Grand Concourse. It was an intriguing matchup that carried bragging rights in the city as well as baseball’s world championship, and it caught the attention of brilliant sports cartoonist Williard Mullin, who gave it the catchy nickname of “The Subway Series.’’ That was because, after all, New York City’s rapid transit system could get you from one ballpark to the other for just 5 cents.

Towns, Brunson help Knicks roll to a 123-98 victory over the Pacers in their home opener

NEW YORK (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 15 rebounds in his Knicks home debut, Jalen Brunson scored 26 points and New York routed the Indiana Pacers 123-98 on Friday night. Mikal Bridges also scored 21 points and Josh Hart had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks, who bounced back powerfully after they were blown out 132-109 in Boston on Tuesday in the NBA season opener. Indiana All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton was scoreless and went 0 for 7 behind the 3-point line, falling to 1 for 16 for the season. Reserve Bennedict Mathurin scored 20 points.

Bronny James expected to begin splitting time between Lakers, G League team after trip

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bronny James is expected to begin splitting time between the Lakers and the team’s G League affiliate, even though coach JJ Reddick said those plans could change. ESPN reported Friday that James will be going between the two teams after the Lakers complete a five-game trip Nov. 6. The South Bay Lakers begin their G League season Nov. 9 against the Salt Lake City Stars. Reddick said the plans for James are fluid based on real time.

McLaren loses appeal over Norris penalty as F1 title fight with Verstappen moves to Mexico City

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Amid an unexpectedly tight championship battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, their teams brought the fight to the Mexico City Grand Prix over an officiating dispute in last week’s race. McLaren lodged a complaint into the five-second penalty Norris received last week at the United States Grand Prix. It was a step in trying to get it overturned but was denied late Friday night. The penalty allowed Verstappen to widen his lead to 57 points headed into Sunday’s race at Mexico City. There are five races remaining to decide the title.

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa clears concussion protocol and will start vs. Cardinals

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and will play against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. It’s his first start since being concussed in Week 2. The Dolphins designated Tagovailoa to return to practice on Monday after he spent about a month on injured reserve after suffering the third known concussion of his NFL career on Sept. 12. Tagovailoa has since met with numerous medical experts who deemed it safe for him to play again. Tagovailoa was examined Thursday by an independent neurological consultant, who cleared him to play Sunday.

What to know about the San Jose State volleyball team and why opponents are boycotting matches

The San Jose State University women’s volleyball team finds itself at the center of a storm around transgender participation in sports as it makes a run toward a conference title. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and other politicians have weighed in. Late Thursday, the University of Nevada, Reno, became the fifth team to cancel a game against the Spartans, citing not enough players. It comes on the heels of Wolf Pack players indicating they wouldn’t take the court saying they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without providing further details. Neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player.

The world is watching and Japan is visiting when Ohtani’s Dodgers face the Yankees in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Although Shohei Ohtani’s first trip to the World Series is a global sports event, it’s particularly big in Japan — and for Japan. Fans from Ohtani’s home nation bought more World Series tickets for the first two games than from anywhere outside North America, according to ticket broker StubHub. Dodger Stadium was packed to the rafters Friday night for the start of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ showdown with the New York Yankees. That’s no surprise, given Ohtani’s ascent to a position of national identity occupied by only a few athletes in world history.