In a stunning return to Yankee Stadium, former Yankee pitcher Nestor Cortes found himself at the center of a pitching disaster, as his Milwaukee Brewers team suffered a staggering 20-9 defeat against the Yankees. The left-hander was not in the mood to discuss the calamity, skipping postgame interviews after a disastrous outing where he gave up eight runs on six hits and five walks, managing to record only six outs.

Cortes, a 30-year-old veteran who had enjoyed four seasons with the Yankees, was greeted warmly by fans during his introductions. However, following his poor performance—where he allowed three home runs in the first inning alone—his demeanor changed dramatically.

The tipping point of the game came early, with Cortes surrendering a trio of home runs shortly after the first pitch, including hits from Yankees players Austin Wells and Anthony Volpe. Adding to the misery, he walked Jasson Domínguez to start the third inning, which led to his being pulled from the game.

Manager Pat Murphy candidly assessed Cortes’ performance, stating, "He didn’t throw the ball good. He didn’t execute. He’d be the first to tell you.” Murphy speculated that while the Yankees didn’t seem to have deciphered Cortes' pitching patterns, the emotional weight of returning to the Bronx likely compounded the pressure on the pitcher.

In what turned into a historic afternoon for the Yankees, the team successfully set a new franchise record by hitting nine home runs in a single game. Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the competition and the intensity on the field but expressed his hope for Cortes to bounce back: “I want him to have a great year, and there’s no reason he won’t go and have a great year.”

Cortes' journey with the Yankees came to an end when he was traded to the Brewers in the offseason, a move that brought All-Star closer Devin Williams to New York. Despite the rough outing, subsequent reports indicated that Cortes is expected to address the media before the series finale, potentially looking to clear the air after this calamitous outing.

This game serves as a critical reminder of the pressures that athletes face, particularly when pitted against former teams, and fans will be eagerly awaiting how Cortes responds in his next appearance. Will he redeem himself, or will this outing haunt him for the rest of the season? Keep an eye on the next match-up—it's sure to be a pivotal moment in Cortes' career!