NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Who says pitchers aren’t athletes?
New York Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz showed off his athleticism with a fantastic play on a bunt attempt in the eighth inning of the team’s 3-2 victory 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, with cleanup hitter Joc Pederson at the plate. Pederson tried to surprise Cruz with a bunt.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
New York Yankees relief pitcher Fernando Cruz fields a ground ball and throws it to third base for an out 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 and came off the mound and slid to catch the ball. Cruz’s slide took him toward third base, throwing the ball with as much speed as he could as he threw it from behind his back.
Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon caught Cruz’s throw on the bounce while stretching the bag. Cruz’s throw narrowly beat Rangers third baseman Josh Jung to the bag for a crucial out.
The bunt game was an opportunity for Cruz to show off his skills from a previous life in baseball, as he was drafted as an infielder before converting to a pitcher later in his career.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
New York Yankees pitcher Fernando Cruz celebrates after pitching the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas on April 28, 2026. (Tony Gutiérrez/AP Photo)
Aaron Judge said he asked Cruz about his past on the court and joked that he might believe Cruz’s past.
“I think I might believe it now,” Judge said with a smile. “We’ll see. I need to see a few more good plays like that. I’m more worried about him continuing to do his thing on the mound. I think we’ll be good.”
Cruz’s next two outs weren’t as dramatic as his first out, but were just as important, as he retired Jake Burger and pinch hitter Ezequiel Duran to end the inning.
Judge hit a solo home run in the ninth inning, tying Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami with his MLB-leading 12th of the season, to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead in the ninth inning.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
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)
Judge’s homer ended up being the winning run, as the Rangers scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning and threatened for more. However, Yankees closer David Bednar held on for the save with a game-ending double play after inducing a ground ball from Corey Seager.
With the victory, the Yankees improved to an American League best record of 20-10. They will look to complete the sweep when they face the Rangers (14-16) in the final game of the three-game series on Wednesday at 2:35 p.m. ET.
