Nestor Cortes flashes leather on comebacker, gets out of jam

Oct 14, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) reacts after throwing out Cleveland Guardians center fielder Myles Straw (not pictured) during the fourth inning in game two of the ALDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Nestor Cortes flashes leather on comebacker, gets out of bases-loaded jam vs. Guardians

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 10/14/22

New York Yankees southpaw Nestor Cortes made his postseason debut Friday afternoon in Game 2 of the team's ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians and got some early run support via a Giancarlo Stanton two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. The Guardians came back with one run in the top of the fourth, but things could've been a lot worse, if not for a brilliant play by Cortes on a comebacker off the bat of Myles Straw with two outs and the bases loaded.

NASTY NESTOR. #POSTSEASON pic.twitter.com/V6GdDDyLKe
— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2022

"Nasty Nestor" is fresh off of a breakout 2022 campaign in which he made his first All-Star team and posted career highs in innings pitched (158 1/3), wins (12) and strikeouts (163). Cortes registered a career-best 2.44 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over his 28 starts as well.

Cleveland shortstop Amed Rosario hit a solo home run off of Cortes in the top of the fifth to knot the game at two, but the Yankees hurler escaped further damage. Through five innings, Cortes had allowed two runs on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts on 92 pitches.

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