UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events, Nestor Cortes silenced his past demons, delivering a masterclass performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night. The left-hander propelled the San Diego Padres to a decisive 5-1 victory at Petco Park, securing sole possession of first place in the NL West.
Cortes, who faced the Dodgers less than a year after giving up the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history to Freddie Freeman, showcased resilience and skill. He dazzled on the mound with six innings of one-hit ball, taking a perfect game into the sixth inning. This performance marks a significant comeback for the veteran, who struggled with injuries earlier this season.
Just announced: Cortes retired the first 16 batters he faced, striking out three and issuing no walks, effectively dismantling a formidable Dodgers lineup that includes MVP-caliber players. His ability to command the game with a mix of pitches—none exceeding 92.1 mph—was key to his success.
“That was tremendous,” said Padres manager Mike Shildt. “Once he gets in a rhythm, he’s really good. He got in a rhythm right from the very first batter, and he just carried it through.”
The Dodgers did not manage to reach base until a single from Miguel Rojas in the sixth inning. Cortes remained unfazed, retiring Shohei Ohtani for the third time to end the inning and his night, exemplifying his dominance against a high-powered offense.
This stellar outing comes after a rocky start against San Francisco last Monday, where Cortes allowed four runs in the first inning. However, he has since rebounded, allowing only three earned runs over his last 20 innings pitched for the Padres.
Acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers at the July 31 trade deadline, Cortes is still acclimating to his new teammates and coaches. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to a team with playoff aspirations.
“These guys are resilient,” Cortes stated. “They’re not at the top of the standings for no reason. Now being part of them, you can tell how everybody is here together. It’s a camaraderie, and everybody is just trying to win.”
The Padres’ victory not only boosts their standing in the NL West but also highlights the potential of their roster as they gear up for the postseason. Fans are eager to see how far this team can go, especially with Cortes finding his stride.
As the Padres continue their push for the playoffs, all eyes will be on Cortes and his ability to maintain this level of performance. With the postseason looming, every game counts, and Cortes seems ready to write a new chapter in October history.