Nestor Cortez is furious at Yankees critics.
The left-handed starting pitcher appeared at the X during Tuesday night’s All-Star Game and spoke out against those who have anything bad to say about the Bronx Bombers.
“Everybody talks down to the Yankees, but they want to be us. It’s a privilege to wear pinstripes. We compete for championships every year.” he wrote on his social media accounts..
Cortes added that he is excited to be in contention for a championship this year, as the team is one game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East and 3¹/₂ games back for the first AL Wild Card spot.
“We’re fortunate to be able to compete for playoff spots and always be a favorite at the end of the day.”
It’s unclear whether Cortez was speaking about any critics specifically.
The Yankees fell into a slump at the end of June, losing 10 of their final 15 games that month and then their first four games in July.
They were on the brink of a third straight win and had overtaken the Orioles to take the lead after the first half, but then stumbled in the final innings of the final game, with Baltimore trailing until the final out.
Shortstop Anthony Volpe misplayed a routine grounder to send the game into extra innings, but then Alex Verdugo completely misjudged a Cedric Mullins fly ball, turning what should have been a flyout into a walk-off hit.
Baltimore entered the second half one game behind the Yankees, who at one point held a 4¹/₂-game lead in the American League East.
“This is devastating,” manager Aaron Boone said after the team’s 6-5 loss to the Orioles. “The last few weeks have been tough for us, let’s acknowledge that. The reality is, from the last few games in Tampa to here, we’ve fought hard and we’re starting to turn things around and we feel like we’re starting to see signs of turning this around.”
Meanwhile, Cortes had one great start and one not-so-great start in his two appearances in July, holding the Red Sox to one run over six innings before giving up five runs against the Rays.
Two Yankees teammates took part in Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic, with Juan Soto and Aaron Judge batting third and fourth, respectively, in the American League starting lineup.
Soto scored two runs with a double and also walked, but Judge was hitless in two at-bats.
