The good news is that the Milwaukee Brewers offense put up nine runs in the second game of their Opening Weekend series against the New York Yankees. The bad news is that Nestor Cortes and the bullpen gave up 20 runs and nine home runs. Yankees superstar Aaron Judge had three of those home runs and eight RBI.
Indeed, it was not long after the game began that it quickly got away from the Brewers, who will look to salvage one game from the three game series on Sunday. Unfortunately, due to their need to rely on the bullpen early and often on Saturday, there will not be many pitchers available to them.
Milwaukee Brewers Pitcher Nestor Cortes Was on the Wrong Side of History vs the New York Yankees
Cortes, who pitched for the Yankees from 2021-2024, was acquired by Milwaukee in the trade that sent two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams to New York. Coming back to his old stomping grounds was supposed to be a great way to start his Brewers tenure. Unfortunately, it was the exact opposite of great.
Yankees hitters hit back-to-back-to-back solo home runs off the first three pitches that they saw from their former teammate. It marked the first time in Major League history that a team hit three home runs off of the first three pitches they saw in a game (since such stats started being tracked in 2000). After getting two outs in the first inning, he allowed another solo home run.
The Brewers never recovered from their early deficit.
Cortes pitched into the third inning, but did not record an out before being pulled from the game in favor of Connor Thomas. The former Yankee ended his day with two innings pitched, eight runs given up, five home runs allowed, and five walks.
This also made him the first pitcher in Major League history to give up five home runs and five walks in a game in which he did not face 35 batters. Cortes faced 17.
Unfortunately, Thomas was not much better. He also allowed eight runs in two inning pitched. In fact, every Brewers pitcher used gave up at least two runs during their blowout loss. That is, except for backup first baseman Jake Bauers, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
More Milwaukee Brewers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
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- The Brewers Were on the Wrong Side of 2 Pieces of History on Opening Day
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