LOS ANGELES – It almost worked. New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes, who hadn’t pitched in 37 days due to injury, came into the game and retired Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani with just one pitch.

But on the next pitch, Cortes missed his spot and Freddie Freeman drained a walk-off grand slam, giving the Yankees a devastating 6-3 loss in 10 innings in Game 1 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Why did manager Aaron Boone use Cortes? Why not his left-wing colleague Tim Hill, who was warming up at the same time?

“I just liked the matchup,” Boone said.

Cortes hadn’t played in a game since Sept. 18 after straining a flexor tendon in his left elbow, although he had practiced and told the Yankees he was ready. He spent 2024 as a starting pitcher, going 9-10 with a 3.77 ERA in 31 games. He only made one backup appearance this season and has been a full-time starter since 2021. But he wasn’t a rookie in the bullpen. Cortes played 49 big league relief games Friday.

There were at least two important factors in Boone’s decision – Cortes’ track record against Ohtani and the number of outs.

The Yankees brought in Cortes to face Ohtani after right-hander Jake Cousins ​​- with one out and securing a one-run lead – issued a walk to Gavin Lux and then a single up the middle by the National League Championship MVP Series, Tommy Edman, past the jump by second baseman Oswaldo Cabrera.

At the time, Cortes and reliever Tim Hill, also a left-hander, were pitching out of the bullpen at the same time. Hill had given up just one earned run in seven playoff appearances so far. Cortes was used for the first time in the playoffs on Friday morning.

But on Friday, Ohtani was just 2 for 12 (.167) with one career strikeout against Cortes. Against Hill, Ohtani was 1-for-4 (.250) with one strikeout and one walk.

“The reality is he’s been throwing the ball really well the last few weeks as he’s been preparing for this,” Boone said, referring to Cortes. “…I don’t know if you ever love a match against Ohtani. But I felt like Nestor could give us a chance.”

Cortes prevailed against Ohtani. He threw a 92 mph fastball upfield and into the strike zone that Ohtani hit high into the air and missed to left. Alex Verdugo ran over and made a spectacular catch, crossing foul territory and then tumbling over a wall.

Boone then signaled the umpires to award an intentional run to Betts and load the bases for Freeman, who wiped out another 92 mph fastball – this one down and in – to the seats in right field. Cortes said he threw the pitch about “two to three inches” too deep. Heading into the night, Freeman had just one double in his three career at-bats against Cortes.

“I got Ohtani out with a fastball that I knew really well, and I tried to do the same thing with Freeman, but I couldn’t get him off,” Cortes said.

Boone added that he might have put Hill in if there had been two outs. After the Yankees signed Hill on June 20, he had the second-highest ground ball rate in the majors at 69.9 percent. But Ohtani is one of the fastest players in the majors. It could have been difficult to get Ohtani to play a double play.

“I knew it was going to be hard to double Shohei with one out there, if Tim Hill gets him on the floor and then Mookie (Betts) is behind him, it’s an uphill battle there,” Boone said. “I felt confident in Nestor at this point.”

At first, Hill, still standing at his locker in full uniform, didn’t want to talk about the decision.

“Why don’t you ask Boonie? I’m just pitching, bro,” he said.

But about half an hour later, Hill, dressed in street clothes, calmly explained that Cortes “had one situation and I had the other.” So, he got it. Do you know what I mean? I’m sorry, but that’s all I have.”

Cortes said he had been ready to pitch since about the fourth inning. On Tuesday, after a practice at Yankee Stadium, he spoke about how he thought he would face Ohtani.

“I have to get the kitchen sink out for him,” Cortes said at the time. “And not just him, but all the other lefties they have in this lineup. I think they have a good lineup.”

When Cortes moved to IL, it seemed unlikely that the 29-year-old would pitch again this season. It was shut down for 10 days. But once he started playing catch, he felt good enough to test his elbow and build his arm strength. Cortes then hosted bullpen sessions and live batting practice sessions. The Yankees even considered activating him during the American League Championship Series after reliever Ian Hamilton suffered a calf strain, but decided against it.

On Friday, Boone decided to use Cortes in the most crucial situation of the Yankees’ season so far. It almost worked. Cortes defeated Ohtani, but not Freeman.

(Top photo of Aaron Boone making the pitching change in the tenth inning: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)