Néstor Cortés Gets Revenge on the Dodgers with a Stellar Performance
In a moment that marked his career, Néstor Cortés faced the Dodgers and emerged victorious, leaving behind the memory of the historic grand slam he suffered last October. The veteran lefty proved his worth on the mound, pitching six brilliant innings, allowing only one hit. The San Diego Padres, with their outstanding performance, positioned themselves in first place in the National League West Division, after defeating Los Angeles with a score of 5-1. Cortés, with an impeccable performance, maintained a perfect game until the sixth inning, frustrating the powerful Dodgers lineup. His performance, combined with the work of three relievers, resulted in a two-hit shutout.In front of a packed Petco Park, Cortés dominated the Dodgers’ hitters, retiring the first 16 players. With a mix of crafty pitches, he struck out three and didn’t concede any walks, demonstrating his skill even without reaching speeds above 92.1 mph.“Obviously there’s a story. Everyone knows it. It’s hard as a player to go through those moments, but the good thing about baseball is that you always have another chance. Once the opportunity comes, you try to make the most of it, and that’s what I did today,” commented Cortés.
Néstor Cortés
The Dodgers didn’t get on base until Miguel Rojas singled with one out in the sixth inning. Cortés, calmly, recovered, retiring Shohei Ohtani to finish the inning and his performance. Cortés’ performance is even more remarkable considering that he is still adapting to his teammates and coaches on the Padres, who acquired him from Milwaukee in a series of moves that strengthened the team’s roster. Cortés knows he has arrived on a team that could give him the opportunity to write a new story in October, and he is eager to see how far the Padres can go.“It was tremendous. We are getting to know him and we feel that once he gets into a rhythm, he is really good. He got into a rhythm from the first batter and kept it. It was a fantastic effort for six innings”, declared Padres manager Mike Shildt.
Mike Shildt
“These guys are resilient. They are not at the top of the standings for no reason. Even long before I got here, watching them from the East Coast, they are a team that fights, a team that goes out and plays hard. Now, being a part of them, you notice how everyone is here together. It’s camaraderie and everyone is trying to win,” said Cortés.
Néstor Cortés
