Nestor Cortes sharp as Juan Soto, Yankees walk off Red Sox

NEW YORK — With a rotation crunch coming, Nestor Cortes made a strong argument to remain part of the group on Thursday night.

The lefty looked sharp in the Yankees’ 2-1, 10-inning, walk-off win over the Red Sox, permitting just one earned run and three hits over five innings. Cortes also tied his season high with nine strikeouts while walking three on 92 pitches.

The run Cortes allowed came on a Danny Jansen homer in the fifth. And allowing just that run kept the game close enough for Juan Soto to make sure the southpaw’s start didn’t go to waste. Soto played the part of hero for the second straight night, delivering a walk-off double in the 10th inning. As Gleyber Torres safely slid into home, the Yankees rushed to mob Soto near second base.

The win now gives the Bombers a two-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in American League East standings.

The Yankees are currently in the midst of a six-man turn through the rotation, but they will likely revert to a five-man staff following Monday’s off day. Barring any injuries, a starter will move to the bullpen. Manager Aaron Boone has said the Yankees will consider results, fit, opponent and previous bullpen experience when making that determination.

A former swingman, Cortes has significant relief experience, and he temporarily moved to the bullpen last weekend when Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt returned from the injured list.

Cortes wasn’t happy about the move, but he performed well while piggybacking off of Schmidt’s start on Sept. 7. Cortes held the Cubs scoreless and hitless for 4 1/3 innings that day.

Because Cortes is familiar with bullpen work, has solid command and throws with his left arm, which could help the Yankees match up, the case can be made that he profiles better as a reliever than any starter on the team. However, he also made a case to stay put on Thursday despite an inconsistent season overall.

Earlier in the game, the Yankees had a tough time with Boston starter Cooper Criswell following Torres’ leadoff homer. The Red Sox righty logged 5 1/3 innings, four hits, one earned run, three walks and four strikeouts.

Thursday’s game also saw Aaron Judge’s homerless streak reach 16 games, setting a new career high. Baseball’s home run leader has been stuck on 51 dingers since crushing two long balls on Aug. 25 against the Rockies.

Judge came a few feet short of ending his streak in the first inning, as he drove a ball to the right-field warning track for a flyout.

Now 85-62 after their second straight walk-off win, the first-place Yankees will turn to Schmidt on Friday. Tanner Houck is expected to start for Boston after recently dealing with a dead arm.