Quite the start..
Surprise hurler leads San Diego Padres into first place on Saturday originally appeared on The Sporting News
If you told San Diego Padres fans it would be late August and this pitcher would be leading your team into first place in the National League West, they would likely get you checked out.
Less than a year after serving up one of the most painful home runs in World Series history, Nestor Cortes flipped the script.
Cortes shuts down Dodgers as Padres grab control of NL West race
The left-hander, now wearing a Padres uniform, carved up the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night with six innings of one-hit baseball, carrying San Diego to a 5-1 win and sole possession of first place in the National League West.
Cortes finds his rhythm
Cortes was perfect through 16 batters before Miguel Rojas finally broke it up with a single in the sixth. Even then, the veteran didn’t flinch, retiring Shohei Ohtani to close out his outing. He finished with three strikeouts, no walks, and a steady mix of pitches that never reached higher than 92 mph.
“I’ve been through the tough moments,” Cortes said after the game. “Baseball always gives you another chance. Tonight, I just wanted to make the most of it.”
Padres make their move
The sellout crowd at Petco Park saw more than just a strong pitching performance. The victory pushed San Diego into the top spot in the NL West, a sign that their aggressive trade deadline moves are already paying off. Cortes was acquired from Milwaukee on July 31, giving the Padres another dependable arm in a rotation that needed stability.
Manager Mike Shildt praised his new starter, calling the outing “fantastic” and pointing out how quickly Cortes has settled in with his teammates.
MORE: Boston Red Sox continue dominance over rival New York Yankees Saturday
For Cortes, who had a rocky start earlier in the week against the Giants, this night felt different. He looked in complete control, keeping a dangerous Dodgers lineup quiet from start to finish.
The Padres are now 74-56, while the Dodgers are 73-57. The two teams will finish their series in San Diego on Sunday night.
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Category: Baseball
