Cortes (4-1) earned the win Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over eight innings against the Rays. He struck out five.
Cortes was lights-out through eight innings, but he was pulled in favor of Wandy Peralta after giving up a leadoff single to Wander Franco in the ninth inning. Franco came around to score on a Manuel Margot single later in the inning, but that was the only blemish for the left-hander. The 27-year-old has been dominant to start the season and currently sports a 1.70 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across 53.0 innings with 61:12 K:BB. Cortes' next start is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday's contest against the Angels.