Just months after being traded from the New York Yankees to the Milwaukee Brewers, left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. made his highly anticipated season debut. But what unfolded on March 29, 2025, in the Bronx was nothing short of a baseball meltdown for the ages.
A Historic First Inning… for the Wrong Team
Facing his former team at Yankee Stadium, Cortes was greeted not with warmth but with three home runs on his first three pitches — an MLB record.
- Paul Goldschmidt cracked the first.
- Cody Bellinger followed immediately.
- Aaron Judge sealed the triple-punch, igniting the crowd and the scoreboard.
That moment etched itself into Major League Baseball history books:
First time in MLB history a pitcher surrendered three home runs on the first three pitches of a game.
The Stats Behind the Collapse
Cortes didn’t make it past the third inning. His final line:
- 2.1 innings pitched
- 5 home runs allowed
- 8 earned runs
- 1 strikeout
The Brewers fell to the Yankees 20-9, a crushing blow both on the scoreboard and for morale. Judge went on to hit three home runs in the game and drove in eight RBIs, adding insult to injury.
What Went Wrong for “Nasty Nestor”?
Returning to your former home is never easy — but Cortes looked visibly off-balance from pitch one. Whether due to nerves, adrenaline, or over-adjusting his pitch mechanics, his control was missing, and his velocity lacked bite.
His pitch placement in the zone, particularly the high middle area, was punished every time.
“I just didn’t execute,” Cortes admitted post-game. “But I’ll learn from it.”
— via MLB.com
Brewers’ Perspective: Panic or Patience?
The Brewers didn’t acquire Cortes for one outing. They sought his durability and signature deception to bolster a rotation missing key arms. Manager Craig Counsell told reporters he believes Cortes will bounce back, citing his ability to adjust quickly.
But fans are uneasy. A five-homer debut is hard to shrug off.
Visual Breakdown of Nestor Cortes’ Performance
We’ve prepared exclusive charts to dissect the collapse:
A Look Ahead: Redemption or Regression?
Cortes has always been a fan-favorite — a scrappy lefty with a funky delivery and unshakable confidence. This outing may go down as the worst of his career, but it doesn’t define it.
With adjustments, support, and a thick skin, Nasty Nestor could still turn his Milwaukee chapter around.
