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    Jack Flaherty helps the Dodgers win World Series Game 1
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    Jack Flaherty helps the Dodgers win World Series Game 1

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    LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty looked comfortable in front of his home fans and contributed to a 6-3 victory in Game 1 of the World Series on the mound against the New York Yankees.

    Flaherty, a product of nearby Harvard-Westlake Prep, turned in another strong showing for the Dodgers while battling fellow Yankees counterpart – and UCLA graduate – Gerrit Cole.

    Flaherty allowed five hits and two earned runs while striking out six in 5⅓ innings.

    “Just one pitch at a time,” Flaherty said of his way through the game. “It was an incredible atmosphere and an incredible setting.”

    Roberts was impressed with Flaherty's overall performance, aside from “one bad pitch.”

    In the sixth inning, Giancarlo Stanton smashed a two-run home run down the left field line off Flaherty, 1-2, giving the Yankees a 2-1 lead – prompting Roberts to strike out Flaherty.

    The Dodgers bullpen gave up a run the rest of the way in the series-opening win.

    Flaherty was ready for the challenge against a lineup that featured Aaron Judge, probably the most valuable player in the American League. The pitcher outscored Judge, striking out him in each of their three meetings Friday.

    “It was great,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think he obviously took advantage of the breaking ball, and that 3-2 strikeout with the fastball was a big strikeout right there.

    “Aaron is an MVP. He’s going to win it this year and you have to be careful (with him).”

    Flaherty said: “The judge is incredible. I was able to make some good pitches. Some days it is like that. I made a few good pitches and it worked. We’ll figure out how to get him out in different ways next time because that’s a good hitter who will make adjustments.”

    The Dodgers announced their seventh sellout of the postseason with 52,394 in attendance to watch the series begin and pay tribute to another pitching legend.

    Flaherty worked from a hill where No. 34 was painted in honor of Fernando Valenzuela, who died Tuesday. Flaherty, 29, entered the stadium before the game wearing a Valenzuela jersey.

    “He was a legend,” Flaherty said. “This was a terrible loss for the Dodgers community. … I just tried to channel the emotions and the pitch with it and enjoy the stakes.”

    Flaherty is coming off a National League Championship Series in which he experienced extreme highs and lows. In Game 1 against the New York Mets, he pitched six scoreless innings and allowed just two hits. But in his starting Game 5, he gave up eight earned runs in three innings.

    Flaherty will receive regular rest to begin Game 5 on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

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