Nestor Cortes had been struggling with a 7.67 ERA in his previous six starts but had a much-needed breakthrough in Chicago. He pitched seven scoreless innings, striking out nine and allowing only three hits. Cortes credited his success to the game plan he and catcher Austin Wells discussed, as well as being able to locate pitches on both sides of the plate. This performance marked the first time a Yankees starter completed six innings since July 28.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Cortes for his fantastic outing, highlighting his effective changeup and heater. This was Cortes’ first scoreless start since June 18 and the first time a Yankees starter pitched seven scoreless innings since May 17. Cortes made adjustments by using more sweepers and fewer cutters, which proved to be successful in inducing swings and getting called strikes. His performance was crucial for a struggling Yankees bullpen following a series of short starts from other pitchers.
The beleaguered Yankee bullpen had been overworked in the past few days, with several relievers throwing a high number of pitches and giving up 20 earned runs in just over 11 innings. Cortes recognized the need to go deep into games to help alleviate the strain on the bullpen, and he delivered with his seven scoreless innings. Despite the length of Cortes’ outing, Boone still had to use three relievers to secure the win, with Jake Cousins earning his first career save.
Looking ahead, the Yankees will turn to rookie Will Warren for a spot start on Wednesday, but Boone feels more confident in the rotation after Cortes’ strong performance. Cortes expressed hope that he can continue pitching well in future outings and build on the success he had in Chicago. His ability to mix pitches effectively and locate them on both sides of the plate was a key factor in his performance, and he credited his catcher for calling a great game.
Cortes emphasized the importance of going deep into games to help the bullpen, especially after a stretch of short starts from other pitchers. The lefty’s outing in Chicago provided a much-needed boost for the team, as he was able to give the bullpen a rest and secure a 4-1 win over the White Sox. Boone praised Cortes for finding his groove and making necessary adjustments, and he is hopeful that Cortes can continue to pitch at a high level in the future. Overall, Cortes’ performance in Chicago was a turning point in his season and a significant step forward for the Yankees.
