MLB news: Yankees’ Fernando Cruz slides to make stunning play on bunt
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Who says pitchers aren’t athletes?
New York Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz showed off his athleticism with a spectacular field goal attempt in the eighth inning of the team’s 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night at Globe Life Field.
The Rangers trailed 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning, with runners on first and second and leadoff hitter Joc Pederson. Pederson tried to surprise Cruz with a bunting.
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New York Yankees relief pitcher Fernando Cruz throws a ground ball and throws to third base during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on April 28, 2026. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
Cruz was ready for this and charged off the mound, sliding in to grab the ball. Cruz’s slide guided him toward third base, and he threw the ball as fast as he could muster while throwing it off his back.
Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon held out the bag as he hit Cruz’s jump shot. Cruz’s throw made a critical outing, narrowly beating Rangers third baseman Josh Jung.
The bun game was an opportunity for Cruz to show off his skills from his previous baseball life, as he was drafted as an infielder before converting to a pitcher later in his career.
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New York Yankees pitcher Fernando Cruz celebrates after pitching the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers on April 28, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo)
Aaron Judge mentioned Cruz’s on-field history and jokingly said he could believe Cruz’s history.
“I think I can believe him now,” the judge said, smiling. “We’ll see. I need to see a few more good games like that. I’m more worried about him continuing to do his job on the mound. I think we’ll be fine.”
Cruz’s next two appearances were not as dramatic as his debut but were equally important; He struck out Jake Burger and hitter Ezequiel Duran to end the inning.
Judge hit a solo home run in the ninth inning, striking out Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami to tie his 12th home run of the season in MLB to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead in the ninth inning.
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New York Yankees relief pitcher Fernando Cruz reacts after the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on April 28, 2026. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
The umpire’s home run proved to be the game-winning run as the Rangers scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth and threatened to get more. But Yankees closer David Bednar held on for the save with a game-ending double play after receiving a ground ball from Corey Seager.
With the win, the Yankees moved to a top 20-10 in the American League. They will try to complete the sweep by playing the Rangers (14-16) in the final game of the three-game series on Wednesday at 2:35 PM ET.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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