Normally, 4 and 2/3 innings pitched in a 9 inning baseball game is, kinda ehh, meh, mediocre, one might say. 4 and 2/3 innings was what Nestor Cortes was able to give last night. Fortunately, for the New York Yankees, it was exactly what they needed.

After the game, Yankee Manager, Aaron Boone recapped the outing. ‘He was terrific. He gave us more than we could have hoped as we continue to build him up.’ High praise from the much maligned Yankee skipper, and a skipper the writer of this blog has been killing as of late.

Over the 4 and 2/3 innings, Cortes yielded only 2 hits, allowed 2 walks, and 0 earned runs, and the bullpen held up for 3 hits over 9 innings. Huge. Huge when you consider, this was against a powerful Astros lineup, in Houston, in front of a very pro Houston crowd.

Then there’s that little matter of the Yankees being within 3.5 games of the wild card. But shhhhhhhhh we won’t mention that for any non Yankee fan checking out the blog.

Tonight is the marquee game of the set. Cole v. Grienke. Here’s hoping Gerrit pitches well and the bats show up. Go Yanks.

Back tomorrow with more.