The New York Yankees were an out away from taking Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night when Nestor Cortes gave up a walk-off grand slam to Freddie Freeman, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-3 victory in 10 innings.
Cortes, who had not pitched in a game since September 18 because of an elbow injury, was brought into the game with two on and one out in the bottom of the 10th. He got Shohei Ohtani to foul out but then threw a first-pitch fastball to Freeman, who sent it over the right-field wall.
This came after the Yankees grabbed the lead in the top of the frame, thanks to Anthony Volpe’s fielder’s choice, which brought home Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Giancarlo Stanton crushed a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth off Dodgers right-hander Jack Flaherty before Los Angeles tied the game in the eighth on Mookie Bett’s sacrifice fly.
Gerrit Cole tossed six innings of one-run ball, with the only run coming in the fifth on Will Smith’s sacrifice fly.
The Yankees look to bounce back from this devastating loss on Saturday at 8:08 p.m. before the World Series shifts to the Bronx. Carlos Rodón will take the ball in Game 2.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.