Once a kid in Dodger Stadium's seats, Giancarlo Stanton delivers again in LA, now at World Series

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton has been coming to Dodger Stadium since he was a kid. Seems like every time he returns, he sends a special souvenir into the outfield seats.

The opener of this Yankees-Dodgers World Series was no exception.

Stanton hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning to put New York ahead, his latest big drive for a Yankees team chasing the franchise's 28th title. It wasn't enough in a 6-3, 10-inning thriller of a loss to Los Angeles on Friday night that Freddie Freeman finished with a two-out, walk-off grand slam.

“You never want that ending,” Stanton said long after the game in a nearly empty Yankees clubhouse. “You've got to win four anyways. No one said it's going to be easy."

Maligned by Yankees fans for much of his time in the Bronx, Stanton homered for his fourth straight postseason game, a 116.6 mph shot off a Jack Flaherty knuckle-curve at the knees that was the hardest-hit ball in the World Series since MLB started tracking in 2015.

His six homers and 13 RBIs both top the Yankees this postseason, and his 17 career postseason homers in 135 at-bats are among the top ratios in baseball history. He is the only player to twice homer in four straight postseason games.

“He’s a killer,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said earlier this month. “I just admire how well he’s able to focus in these big moments and just go to a different place mentally.”

Throughout October, Stanton's determination has been evident.

“This ain’t the trophy I want," he said after getting the AL Championship Series MVP Award on Saturday night. “I want the next one.”

Born in Panorama City, California, and raised about 15 miles north of Dodger Stadium in the Tujanga neighborhood of Los Angeles, Stanton used to watch games from the pavilion seats, known elsewhere as the bleachers.

“Wherever I could get a ticket. I think they were between $5 and $7 at some point. I’m sure they weren’t that tonight," Stanton said. "All over left and right and sometimes a little better as I got older and had more connections."

He hit a tying 457-foot home run into the pavilion off the Dodgers' Tony Gonsolin in the 2022 All-Star Game and has 10 homers in 25 regular-season games at Chavez Ravine — the most impressive a 475-foot drive for Miami in May 2015. Stanton is among just five players to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, joined by Willie Stargell (twice), Mike Piazza, Mark McGwire and Fernando Tatis Jr.

“Had a lot of times to know the flight of the ball here over the years,” Stanton said.

Given a then-record $325 million, 13-year contract by the Marlins, Stanton had 59 homers and 132 RBIs in 2017, winning the NL MVP award. His first season in the Bronx was a success with 38 homers and 100 RBIs but he missed 266 of 708 games over the next five seasons because of a series of injuries that included strains of right biceps, right knee, left hamstring (twice) and left quadriceps along with right ankle inflammation and left Achilles tendinitis.

He arrived at spring training this year markedly slimmer and had 27 homers and 72 RBIs while playing 114 games — he was sidelined by a strained left hamstring between June 22 and July 29.

Stanton had more than 25 family members and friends at the World Series opener. He knew his first Fall Classic appearance was a significant moment for them.

“Not as much as it means to me,” he said. "They can enjoy the show, but at the same time I'm not here to just play in LA. I'm here to win.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton watches his two-run home during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton watches his two-run home during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton connects for a two-run home during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton celebrates in the dugout after his two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton connects for a two-run home off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton watches his two-run home off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton celebrates his two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — The All Blacks overcame a spirited start by Japan to run in 10 tries on the way to a 64-19 win Saturday in the first of five matches on their northern hemisphere tour.

Japan scored the opening try of the match and New Zealand didn't lead until the 15th minute when new captain Patrick Tuipulotu scored its second try. Japan scored again and almost retrieved the lead with a spectacular third try which was disallowed for a knock-on.

New Zealand eventually settled and began to pile on points, leading 43-12 at halftime. But the match at times was a shaky dress rehearsal for much tougher matches against England, Ireland and France over the next few weeks.

“We have to be more consistent in our set piece. We left a lot of lineouts out there,” Tuipulotu said. "Also our scrum, we didn't get the good march out of it that we wanted. That will be work-on for us, especially against the good European teams that love set piece.”

The All Blacks named their heaviest-ever front row with two props weighing in at more than 300 pounds (140 kilograms) but couldn't assert any early scrum dominance over Japan.

The Brave Blossoms under Australia-born head coach Eddie Jones pounced on early errors by the All Blacks to score tries through winger Jone Naikabula and backrower Faulua Makisi and thrill a crowd in excess of 60,000 at the Nissan Stadium.

When the All Blacks last played at the stadium in 2019 they lost in a World Cup semifinal to an England team coached by Jones.

The All Blacks scored immediately after a try to Japan's New Zealand-born lock Warner Dearns was disallowed in the 21st minute. New Zealand flyhalf Damian McKenzie was sacked in a tackle by Makisi, the ball sprang free and Dearns recovered it and dashed 40 meters to score.

But the ball was knocked-on in the tackle. Center Billy Proctor scored immediately afterwards and new Zealand added tries to Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau and props Pasilio Tosi and Tamaiti Willaims to take control of the match.

The All Blacks scored their eighth try in 44th minute through returning scrumhalf Cam Roigard. Roigard didn't play in New Zealand's mid-year tests or in the Rugby Championship while recuperating from a knee injury.

The match became scrappy from then on as both teams went to their benches. Japan replaced its captain, flyhalf Harumichi Tatekawa in the 55th minute, while Hurricanes teammates Peter Lakai and Love came off the New Zealand bench to make test debuts.

Naikabula almost scored a second try but was stopped in the right corner by Damian McKenzie. McKenzie also made a try-saving tackle on Yoshitaka Yazaki but he was left grasping at air when Opeti Helu scored a try on debut for Japan in the 69th minute.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

New Zealand's Cam Roigard, right, reactsduring a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

New Zealand's Asafo Aumua passes the ball to teammate Cam Roigard, left, during a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

New Zealand's Billy Proctor makes a run during a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

New Zealand's Damian McKenzie attempts to break a tackle during a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Japan's Opeti Helu scores his team's third try during a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

New Zealand's Cam Roigard, right, takes a pass from teammate Billy Proctor during a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

New Zealand's Ruben Love reaches out to score a try during a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

New Zealand's Sam Cane runs to the try line as Japan's Shuhei Takeuchi, left, attempts a tackle during a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Japan coach Eddie Jones watches as his players warm up ahead of the rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

New Zealand coach Scott Robertson, left, stands with his inside centre Anton Lienert-Brown as they warm up ahead of the rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Japan's Yoshitaka Yazaki, right, attempts to catch the ball as New Zealand's Mark Tele'a watches during a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

New Zealand's Billy Proctor scores a try during a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

New Zealand's Patrick Tuipulotu reaches out to score a try during a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

New Zealand's Billy Proctor scores a try during a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

New Zealand's Sam Cane reaches out to score a try as Japan's Shuhei Takeuchi, left, attempts a tackle during a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

New Zealand's Patrick Tuipulotu runs to the try line during a rugby test match between the All Blacks and Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)