Nestor Cortes’ return to Yankee Stadium turned into an implosion, and the Brewers left-hander didn’t stay to talk about it.
Cortes left before addressing reporters postgame after allowing eight runs on six hits and five walks — while recording just six outs — during the Brewers’ 20-9 loss to the Yankees on Saturday in The Bronx.
The 30-year-old veteran, who received a warm greeting from fans during introductions and spoke glowingly of his tenure with the Yankees before the series began Thursday, was nowhere to be found in the clubhouse after manager Pat Murphy’s news conference.
After surrendering a grand slam to Freddie Freeman that altered Game 1 of the World Series on one pitch and served as his lasting Yankees image, Cortes stayed to address reporters.
The Brewers told The Post that it was a miscommunication, and Cortes will speak with reporters before the series finale Sunday.
After spending the past four seasons with the Yankees during his third stint with the team, Cortes was traded to the Brewers over the winter in the deal that brought All-Star closer Devin Williams to The Bronx, and in his first start against his former team, he allowed three homers on three pitches to open the game.
The damage continued when Austin Wells and Anthony Volpe also homered, and he was pulled after walking Jasson Domínguez to start the third.
“He didn’t throw the ball good,” Murphy said. “He didn’t execute. He didn’t throw the ball good. He’d be the first to tell you.”
Murphy didn’t think the Yankees had a tell on Cortes’ pitches — “the only tell they had is the ball wasn’t cutting,” he said — despite the scorching start and his history with the club, though he acknowledged that an emotional return “probably added to something.”
That allowed the Yankees to orchestrate the opening act of what turned into a historic afternoon, as they set a new franchise record with nine home runs.
Nestor Cortes wears a dejected expression on the bench after being taken out of the game during the Yankees’ blowout win over the Brewers. Jason Szenes for New York Post
“I mean, look, we’re in competition out there, and it’s the game once that happens,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “But I want him to have a great year, and there’s no reason he won’t go and have a great year.”
