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Who says pitchers aren’t athletes?
New York Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz showed off his athleticism with a great play on a bunt 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 were down 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.
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New York Yankees relief pitcher Fernando Cruz fields a ground ball and throws to third base for one out during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on April 28, 2026. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
Ready for it, Cruz came storming off the mound and slid to catch the ball. Cruz’s wear pointed him in the direction of third base, throwing the ball with as much velocity as he could muster while throwing from his back.
Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon got Cruz’s throw on the bounce while also reaching off the bag. Cruz’s throw narrowly beat busy Rangers third baseman Josh Jung for the decisive out.
The bunt play was an opportunity for Cruz to show off his skills from a previous baseball life when 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 hitting in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on April 28, 2026. (Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo)
Aaron Judge said he got Cruz to talk about his infield past and jokingly said he could believe Cruz’s past.
“I think I might believe him now,” Judge said with a smile. “We’ll see. I need to see a couple of good games like that. I’m more worried about him just 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 struck out 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 for his MLB-leading 12th of the season, 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)
Judge’s homer ended up being the game-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 groundball from Corey Seager.
With the win, the Yankees improved to an American League-best 20-10. They will look to complete the sweep when they play the Rangers (14-16) in the final game of the three-game series on Wednesday at 2:35 PM ET.
