Nestor Cortes' First Clunker of Season Ends His Historic Streak
MINNEAPOLIS — Nestor Cortes took the mound on Wednesday night at Target Field with a chance to match a franchise record that hasn't been touched in over a century.
If the left-hander allowed three earned runs or fewer, it would've been his 20th such start in a row, matching the record set by Russ Ford back in 1911.
Instead, Cortes permitted four earned runs over 4.1 frames, ending his remarkable streak while digging the Yankees into an early hole in an 8-1 loss to the Twins.
After retiring Minnesota's starting lineup in order through the first three innings, Cortes' night went south in the fourth. The lefty allowed two runs on five singles, including an RBI from ex-Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela.
New York's left-hander went back out for the fifth, but only lasted a few batters. Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers began the inning with a solo home run that bounced off the third deck in left. After a strikeout (just his third of the game), Cortes served up another solo bomb, this one off the bat of star center fielder Byron Buxton.
This wasn't just the first clunker of the year for Cortes. The southpaw hasn't produced an outing like this since he solidified his spot in the starting rotation last summer. It's his first start with four earned runs allowed since August 10, 2021 in Kansas City.
Cortes' uncharacteristic performance comes one day after right-hander Jameson Taillon also struggled for the first time in 2022. Taillon gave up four earned runs on Tuesday night, the first time he's given up more than three in a game this season as well.
The difference is that New York's offense was able to step up behind Taillon in the series opener, scoring 10 runs on 14 hits. On Wednesday, New York was completely shut down by starter Chris Archer and Minnesota's bullpen. Snapping their seven-game winning streak, the Yankees had just four hits, scoring only once.
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