HOUSTON — As the Yankees went into their own personal house of horrors — Minute Maid Park — where their seasons have ended in ugly fashion in the past, they turned to an unlikely arm to help them provide a spark to a disappointing first half.
And Nestor Cortes delivered, holding the potent Astros’ offense down into the fifth inning, which gave the Yankees’ lineup enough time to get going in a 4-0 win.
Brett Gardner and DJ LeMahieu both had two-run hits in the victory over the first-place Astros, the Yankees’ fourth win in five games since a three-game losing streak dropped them to .500 over the weekend.
“You can’t help but think about the past sometimes,’’ Gardner said of coming back to Houston, where their 2019 season ended in the ALCS. “But it’s a new season, a new group of guys and we have to find a way to get back in this thing, try to get back into contention and get into the postseason. … We all know what’s at stake.”
Cortes has been as effective as any Yankees pitcher since being called up in late May in his third stint with the team. He was especially efficient against Houston, throwing 4 ²/₃ scoreless innings.
“He was huge for us,’’ manager Aaron Boone said. “Like it seems he’s been every time he’s pitched for us. He gave us more than we could have hoped.”
The left-hander provided a lift for a second straight start, as the Yankees used four pitches to compile their first shutout since May 22, against the White Sox.
Cortes’ previous outing came in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Mets, after Aroldis Chapman had blown the first game, sending the Yankees’ to a third straight defeat and further into the abyss. Cortes went out in the second game and pitched well, into the fourth inning, as the Yankees got a much-needed win.
He was even better on Friday against the first-place Astros, who were without Carlos Correa, who had been placed on the COVID-19 injured list prior to the game.
“No job, no moment is too big for [Cortes],’’ Gardner said.
Cortes gave up just two hits and a pair of walks before Lucas Luetge entered.
After his ERA dipped to 1.05, Cortes credited his newfound success to a slight increase in velocity and improved command.
Still, he’s throwing mostly in the low 90s.
“A lot of people think I’m a crafty lefty — which I am to a certain degree — but my pitches have gotten a little more crisp,’’ Cortes said.
“He’s pitched well, whatever situation we put him in,’’ Boone said of Cortes. “Whatever role it is, he’s come through in a lot of big ways.”
And Cortes made it clear he’s fine with whatever role the Yankees have in mind.
“I’m gonna take what I can get at this point,’’ the 26-year-old said.
Cortes exited with a lead thanks to a two-out, two-run double from Gardner in the fourth off Jake Odorizzi that put the Yankees up, 2-0.
The Yankees’ offense — which was held to one hit in Thursday’s shutout loss in Seattle — delivered again in the seventh against Bryan Abreu, who took over for Odorizzi.
Gardner drew a one-out walk and Tyler Wade followed with a double past third base, which had been vacated by the shift, sending Gardner to third.
LeMahieu, who made several fine plays at first base, came up with the infield in and ripped a double to left on a full count after a 10-pitch at-bat to drive in two more runs.
With the Yankees up 4-0, Boone turned the game over to a more established pitching presence, Chad Green, who tossed two scoreless innings. Jonathan Loaisiga finished it.
The Yankees will turn to the struggling Gerrit Cole on Saturday night to keep the momentum going — and they hope Cole can meet Cortes’ standards.