Nestor Cortes Shines at Home Despite Yankees’ Loss
Friday’s series opener against the Red Sox ended in heartbreak for the Yankees with a 5-3 loss in 10 innings, but Nestor Cortes delivered a solid performance at Yankee Stadium. He pitched six innings, allowing just three hits and a walk, and he struck out eight, lowering his ERA to 3.41. The left-hander thrives on home turf, holding a 4-3 record and a 1.84 ERA at the stadium compared to a 0-4 record and a 5.63 ERA on the road.
Experiencing a 38-minute rain delay, Cortes remained unfazed. Despite Romy Gonzalez’s leadoff homer in the fifth inning, he soldiered on effectively. “I was ready to go regardless of how long the rain delay was,” said Cortes. The Yankees capitalized in the fourth inning with contributions from Gleyber Torres and Anthony Volpe, among others, but ultimately, they couldn’t secure the win.
Clay Holmes, entering in the ninth, allowed a game-tying, two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida, denying Cortes the win. “It’s not time to panic,” Cortes emphasized. “It’s time to trust each other and keep going.”
