“I felt like I didn't locate as best as I can” - Yankees’ Nestor Cortes reflects on rough outing in 9-1 loss to division rivals

After winning the opening game 6-1, the New York Yankees began the second game of their series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. The Saturday night game highlighted the Yankees’ offensive and pitching woes in their disappointing 9-1 loss to the Rays.

Starting pitcher Nestor Cortes had a terrible outing, pitching for 4.1 innings while giving up six earned runs on eight hits with two walks while striking out only one. Discussing his performance after the game, he said (via MLB.com):

“The walks hurt you. When you walk … the bottom of the lineup, you give it the chance to turn over. That’s not ideal. I just have to be better.”

“It’s tough to pitch in the big leagues when you don’t have your good stuff. Early on, it was pretty good, and then I lost a little bit of the outside rail with the fastball and I was behind in the count a lot.”

Among the eight hits Cortes allowed were three homers by the Rays offense. Throughout the game, he threw 91 pitches, with 61 of them being strikes.

“[The Rays are] a team that I faced a few times already. I feel like they know what all my strengths are. It’s about being able to command and spot your pitches more than anything else. That’s what it came down to. I felt I didn’t locate as best as I could,” Cortes added.

Even after Nestor Cortes left the mound, the Yankees' pitching troubles continued. The Yankees' pitching staff gave up nine earned runs on 11 hits, including four homers and five walks, while striking out only five batters.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone opens up on Nestor Cortes tough outing

Nestor Cortes was replaced by Michael Tonkin after giving up a homer to the Rays’ Randy Arozarena in the fourth inning. Tonkin allowed one earned run while striking out two batters.

In the seventh inning, Josh Maciejewski took the mound and gave up two earned runs on three hits while striking out two in his three innings of work. After the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented on Nestor Cortes’ outing, saying (via SNY TV):

“Thought the profile of the stuff was there just… probably not his best stuff. Just had a hard time finishing some guys. Usually, especially lately, even when he’s had a game when he hasn’t been perfect he still had that kinda swing and miss top of the zone or could get in guys.”

The Yankees (59-41) ranked second in the AL East will face the Tampa Bay Rays again on Sunday in the third game of their four-game series.