Nestor Cortes is fired up about the Yankees detractors. The lefty starting pitcher took to X during the to speak out against those who have talked badly about the Bronx Bombers. Everyone talks down about the yanks but they wanna be us. Its a privilege to wear pinstripes. Every year we are in contention, . Nestor Cortes spoke out on X on Tuesday night. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con Cortes added that hes excited about being in contention this year, as his team trails the Baltimore Orioles by a game in the AL East and sits 3/ games up in the first American League wild-card spot. Im ble sed to be able to compete for a Greg Maddux Jersey playoff spot and always be contenders at the end. Explore More Its unclear if Cortes was talking about any critic specifically. The Yankees hit a swoon at the end of June, losing 10 of their final 15 games of the month before losing the first four games to start July. Ben Rice celebrates with Trent Grisham and Oswaldo Cabrera after hitting a three-run home run in the ninth inning in the Yankees lo s to the Orioles on Sunday. Getty Images They were on the verge of a three-game sweep and moving back into first place over the Orioles to close out the first half when they stumbled in the final inning of the last game and Baltimore down to its last out. on a routine ground ball at shortstop extended the game before Alex Verdugo completely misjudged a fly ball from Cedric Mullins, whose would-be fly out turned into a walk-off hit. Baltimore now goes into the second half one game up over the Yankees, who at one time held a 4/ game cushion in he AL East. Aaron Boone reacts after a stolen base is called back due to an umpire timeout during the ninth inning of a game against the Orioles on July 14. Getty Images Thats a killer, manager Aaron Boone . Its been a rough several weeks here for us. Acknowledge that. The reality is, from the last couple games in Tampa into here, feel like were competing our a ses off and starting to turn the corner and see the signs we want to see as we turn this thing around. On his end, Cortes has one excellent start and one not-so-great outing in two July appearances after holding the Red Sox to one run over six innings before yielding five runs in a clunker against the Rays. Two Yankees teammates took part in Tuesdays Midsummer Cla sic, with Juan Soto and Aaron Judge hitting third and fourth, respectively, in the ALs starting lineup. Soto drove in two runs with double and also walked while Judge went 0-for-2. Daysbel Hernandez Jersey