Cortes (0-1) pitched just one-third of an inning Friday, giving up eight runs (seven earned) on five hits and two walks in a loss to the Astros. He struck out one.
The Mariners' defense committed three errors in the first inning, which didn't help Cortes' cause. He got the start on short notice after Yusei Kikuchi was scratched with neck spasms. Cortes has a 15.26 ERA, 2.35 WHIP and eight strikeouts in 7.2 innings, mostly in a middle-relief role.