There are two versions of Nestor Cortés. An unstable version on the road and a brilliant version at home.
On the road, Cortez allowed more hits (26) than innings pitched (20) and posted an impressive 6.75 ERA.
At home, he pitched seven innings in all four games, allowing just 16 hits (four extra base hits) and five earned runs at 28¹/₃, mostly in a dominant frame.
“I love pitching in front of Yankees fans,” the unconventional and crafty southpaw said after the Yankees defeated the Tigers for the third straight time, 5-2, in eight innings of a rain-shortened game in the Bronx.
“I’ve loved pitching here for as long as I can remember in 2021. When you get two strikes or two out, everyone participates, the fans, the people making noise upstairs, so it’s extra. It gives me that edge, and that’s why I feel like it’s working so well for me.”
Cortez was especially effective Sunday, holding the Tigers to a runner on second base through the first six innings and recording nine strikeouts overall.
After allowing singles to Mark Canha and Jake Rodgers, there was just one out in the seventh inning, allowing two runners inherited by reliever Ian Hamilton to score and giving up two unearned runs.
Still, Cortez lowered his season ERA to 3.72, matching Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who allowed two earned runs in six innings. At home it’s only 1.58.
Cortez insisted he wasn’t worried about Skubal, one of the bright young pitchers who entered the game with a 1.72 ERA.
“I feel like when I’m out there, I’m just focused on myself and the team,” he said. “When I’m out there. Whether I’m first or fifth, I’m trying to give my team a chance to win.
“I feel like I’m not pitching against him, I’m pitching against myself. To give myself a chance to get into the 1-3 earned run range and give myself that chance for the team. I hope [to win]”
