It took one pitch to know what kind of night it was going to be for Gerrit Cole. Coles 96-mph fastball to kick off the Yankees postseason was lifted to the right-field warning-track, where Juan Soto made the catch. The next two batters hit the ball even harder all Nate Colbert Jersey three with an exit velocity above 102 miles per hour but Aaron Judge made two catches, including a long run to the left-center-field wall. A dejected Gerrit Cole walks off the mound after getting taken out in the sixth inning of the Yankees 6-5 win over the Royals in Game 1 of the NLDS o Oct. 5, 2024. Robert Sabo / New York Post And so began a high-wire act where Cole consistently lived on the edge and didnt look like the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner in Game 1 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium. We played outstanding defense, really. That was the highlight of the night for me, Cole said. I made my fair share of mistakes, thats for sure. Need to be sharper. But they put a couple really good pitches in play, too. Explore More Cole allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out four in five-plus innings. He left with a 4-3 lead and a runner on first base despite throwing just 80 pitches, and Tim Hill gave up the go-ahead two-run single. Yes, the Yankees removed their $36 million-per-year ace in favor of a left-hander who is making $740,000 this season and was cut in June by the White Sox on their way to an MLB-record 121 lo ses. [Cole] gave us a chance to win on a night when it was a little bit of a grind for him, manager Aaron Boone said. But its fair to say that the Yankees were expecting better. Gerrit Cole delivers a pitch during the Yankees Game 1 win. Jason Szenes / New York Post See Also New York Yankees As great of a career as hes had and as great a Yankee as hes been in his career so far, look back and hes had a number of gut check moments of truth, and hes answered that like all the time, Boone said before the game. But the biggest thing right now is I feel like hes throwing the ball incredibly well. Hes throwing the ball like our ace. The Royals scored once in the second inning and the damage couldve been worse if Soto didnt throw out a runner at home plate. When the Yankees claimed a 2-1 lead, Cole gave it right back, allowing a two-run home run to MJ Melendez in the fourth. An old nemesis and former Cole teammate with rival Astros ties, Yuli Gurriel drew an 11-pitch walk just in front of Melendezs homer. Ive seen Yuli do that a lot of times to be honest, Cole said. It was a good battle. Trying to end the at-bat sooner than that, but its postseason baseball. Thats the way things go. Boone had Clay Holmes the former struggling closer warming up in the bullpen with two outs and two on in the fourth, after Melendezs homer. Cole entered the game with a 3.49 ERA in seven career playoff appearances for the Yankees. Saturday was the fourth time that he failed to make it through six innings. He could pitch again on full rest in Game 4 on Thursday. Tyler Robertson Jersey