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Yankees and Red Sox combine for 30 runs in memorable London Series opener

mark townsend
Yahoo Sports Contributor

We promise you, London, not all Major League Baseball games are like this.

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox brought their rivalry to London Stadium for MLB's historic first regular season game in Europe, and London Stadium brought out the best in both offenses as they lit up the scoreboard at a faster pace than most NFL games played in England.

An incredible 30 runs were scored as the Yankees held on to knock off the Red Sox, 17-13, in front of an MLB international record 59,659 fans.

The fans almost saw another piece of history, too. The game was completed in four hours, 42 minutes, which is just three minutes short of the longest nine-inning regular season game in MLB history.

Wild first inning sets the tone

The London Series opened up with non-stop offensive fireworks as both teams plated six runs in a 58-minute first inning.

The Yankees went to work first, chasing Red Sox starter Rick Porcello after just eight batters and one out. D.J. LeMahieu led off the game with a single and scored the first run, making him the answer to several trivia questions. Aaron Hicks delivered the big blow with a two-run home run, the first ever hit in Europe.

The Red Sox immediately countered with six runs of their own. Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka recorded two outs, but also couldn’t escape the first inning. Michael Chavis capped the first inning with a three-run home run.

This marks the first time in 30 years that an MLB game has been 6-6 after one inning.

Each team would muster another six-run rally in the game, which gave us a scenario not seen in 40 years.

Defense saves the day

Wouldn’t you know, on a day with so much offense, it was a spectacular double play that ended it.

Didi Gregorius and Gleyber Torres authored this gem to end the game.

Injury updates

Unfortunately, both teams dealt with injury issues during Saturday's game.

Yankees first baseman Luke Voit left the game with a lower abdominal injury. Voit was enjoying a monster game with four hits in the first five innings. He’ll be evaluated again on Sunday.

Boston’s Xander Bogaerts exited with a left calf cramp.

A royal first pitch

The baseball was wild, but it was far from the only attraction.

The pregame had all of the pomp and circumstance you might expect before a World Series game. That included a special first pitch witnessed by Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.

Yankees, Red Sox bring baby gifts

The royal couple paid a special visit to both clubhouses before the game, which allowed Markle to meet up with possible distant relative Mookie Betts.

According to MLB.com, both teams came bearing gifts for baby Archie.

Down goes The Freeze

MLB did its best to bring the full in-game entertainment experience with it.

That included an appearance by The Freeze.

The fast-as-lightning sprinter is known for flying by his opponents at Atlanta Braves games, but found the competition a little tougher today.

There was also a seventh inning stretch, a performance of “Sweet Caroline” in the eighth inning and an in-game mascot race featuring Freddie Mercury, the Loch Ness Monster, Winston Churchill and Henry VIII.

It was a long day, but there was rarely a dull moment.

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