Yankees suffer first loss of season in defeat to Diamondbacks

PHOENIX — A common refrain among starting pitchers during the Yankees’ first go-around in the rotation was that they knew they simply had to keep the game close to give their offense a chance to win it.

Nestor Cortes, after another tough first round, kept his outing from being completely derailed once again.

But this time, the Yankees’ offense was finally brought under control, their bullpen failed to keep things close, and with that, their perfect start to the season came to an end in their sixth game.

Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen pitched six shutout innings to stifle the Yankees for their first loss of the season, 7-0, Tuesday night at Chase Field.

Against Gallen and three Diamondbacks relievers, the Yankees managed only three hits and four walks.

They failed to return to the hits they had regularly delivered during their 5-0 run, which was the franchise’s best start since 1992.

The loss sets up a rubber match Wednesday afternoon before the Yankees finally return home for Friday’s home opener.

After Cortes allowed three runs in five-plus innings, the Yankees still faced a 3–0 deficit until the seventh inning.

Left-handed reliever Victor Gonzalez allowed two men to reach before being replaced by Jake Cousins, the right-handed reliever acquired from the White Sox on Sunday.

Cousins ​​grounded out before giving up a three-point bomb to Christian Walker that opened the game with a 6-0 Diamondbacks lead.

Cousins’ lack of control led to another run in the ninth.