Nestor Cortes Jr pitched a no hitter into the 8th inning, broken up by a 1-out single by Texas Ranger centerfielder Eli White. Cortes was lifted but his brilliant pitching paid off when Anthony Rizzo ripped an RBI double in the bottom of the 8th to get the Yanks a 1-0 win.
The Yanks snuck in the win in a rare Monday afternoon game at the Stadium – a makeup of Saturday’s rainout.
1. Cortes an Ace
Nestor Cortes Jr had struggled with his control in his last start – but this time, he was on top of all his pitches.
He breezed through 7 innings of no-hit ball – striking out 11 and walking 4. “I keep telling him just keep throwing that cutter down and away,” said Anthony Rizzo about Cortes afterwards. “He was hitting his spots today; he was getting ahead. He was working both sides of the plate really well.”
n65 cheat code.@Cortes_1210 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pixMxlIFfs
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 9, 2022
With 1 out in the top of the 8th – game tied 0-0 – Cortes allowed a single to Eli White and the no hitter was over. Manager Aaron Boone pulled him at 103 pitches, bringing in Clay Holmes who got the final two outs. Holmes would get the win.
“I’ve always told myself — I’ve been playing baseball since I was 4,” said Cortes afterwards. “I feel like it’s the only thing I know how to do. I came out of High School — I don’t have anything to fall back on, so I was going to ride this as long as I could. And thankfully, it started clicking last year. Hopefully I can continue to do it.”
2. Rizzo Game Winner
Meanwhile, Jon Grey (4.1 innings) and Brock Burke (2.2 innings) were shutting down the Yanks. Aaron Judge got a 1-out single off reliever Brett Martin in the bottom of the 8th, and Anthony Rizzo followed with a double to left center, scoring Judge with the only run of the game.
The Rizz for the lead 👏 pic.twitter.com/oeTXsDITUK
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 9, 2022
3. Chapman Roller Coaster
Aaroldis Chapman pitched the 9th and it never seems easy with Aaroldis. Even on a night when he had it. He got two flyouts to begin the inning for 2 outs. But then catcher Jonah Heim singled, and pinch runner Brad Miller stole 2nd. With the game tying run at 2nd, Chapman got Nick Solak to fly out for the old ballgame.
Be the first to comment