Bronx, NYC – Jazz Chisholm Jr. grabbed the Yankees headlines with his game-winning double. But Fernando Cruz made the comeback possible.
The New York Yankees reliever entered Sunday’s game against Baltimore with runners on first and second, nobody out, and his team trailing 2-1 in the eighth inning. Cruz responded by striking out three straight Orioles hitters to preserve the deficit and set up the dramatic rally that followed.
Chisholm’s two-run double and DJ LeMahieu’s insurance run completed the Yankees‘ 4-2 victory. However, the comeback wouldn’t have happened without Cruz’s dominant relief appearance that silenced Baltimore’s best scoring opportunity.
The veteran Yankees right-hander used his signature splitter to freeze Ramon Laureano, Colton Cowser, and Cedric Mullins. All three batters went down swinging against Cruz’s devastating pitch.
Cruz steps up when Yankees need him most
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Tim Hill walked consecutive batters to open the eighth inning. Yankees manager Aaron Boone immediately turned to Cruz for damage control in the high-leverage situation.
The 35-year-old Yankees reliever didn’t waste time establishing dominance. His splitter dove through the strike zone, inducing three consecutive swinging strikeouts from Baltimore’s most dangerous hitters.
“In that situation where two guys are on, you really want the swing-and-miss. The game’s on the line there,” Boone said. “To strike out three [in a row] was massive.”
Cruz bounced back from a rough outing against the Angels in his previous appearance. He had walked three batters and allowed a run in that game, an unusual struggle for the typically reliable reliever.
Since the Yankees acquired him in a December trade that sent Jose Trevino to Cincinnati, Cruz has posted impressive numbers. He owns a 3.26 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 30 ⅓ innings. His WHIP stands at an excellent 1.09.
“I feel like my splitter is just a gift pitch,” Cruz said. “It’s been there the whole time. I just had to make an adjustment to get it more to the strike zone. Today was that kind of day.”
Cruz showed class by crediting his teammate after the performance.
“He picks me up every time. Being able to help the team stay with a one-run [deficit] was huge for us to be able to come back and win it,” Cruz said about Hill.
Veteran reliever’s unconventional path to success
Cruz took an unusual route to become a Yankees closer. The right-hander didn’t reach the major leagues until 2022 at age 32.
His journey included 12 seasons in the minor leagues. He also spent time in independent baseball and overseas before finally getting his big-league opportunity.
Cruz has maximized his delayed arrival since debuting three years ago. He’s established himself as a reliable late-inning option wherever he’s pitched.
"Cincinnati is a special place. It's just going to be like that my whole life."
The Yankees will travel to Cincinnati this week for a three-game series. The trip represents a homecoming for Cruz, who made his MLB debut with the Reds.
“Cincinnati is a special place for me,” Cruz said. “It’s where I made my debut, and it’s the organization that gave me an opportunity. I really appreciate everything that they’ve done, but now I’m in another chapter in my life with the Yankees, and we’re gonna take care of business.”
Clutch performance sets stage for offensive explosion
Chisholm deserves credit for his game-winning heroics and earlier shoeless adventure at home plate. But his dramatic double doesn’t happen without Cruz’s shutdown inning.
Boone recognized both players’ contributions after the victory. He called Cruz’s eighth inning “one of the most important frames of the night.”
The manager’s assessment proved accurate. Cruz transformed a potential Baltimore breakout into a momentum shift that energized the entire Yankees dugout.
His calm demeanor under pressure allowed the offense to take the field knowing they still had a chance to win. That confidence translated into the game-changing rally that followed.
Yankees bullpen emerges as strength
The Yankees face significant challenges with Gerrit Cole sidelined for the season. The rotation continues to be assembled on a week-to-week basis, placing extra pressure on the relief corps.
Cruz has answered the call as a dependable high-leverage weapon. His splitter has become one of the most effective pitches in the Yankees’ entire arsenal.
The pitch drops sharply through the zone, fooling even experienced hitters who expect it. Sunday’s performance against quality major league hitters demonstrated its devastating effectiveness.
“He’s been outstanding for us this year,” Boone said. “That’s going to happen every now and then — an off day — but the body of work speaks.”
Cruz’s consistency has provided stability in late-game situations. His ability to generate swings and misses makes him invaluable in tight contests.
Road trip brings personal significance
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The Yankees head to Cincinnati riding momentum from Sunday’s dramatic comeback. The series holds special meaning for Cruz beyond the usual importance of maintaining winning streaks.
He’ll return to the ballpark where his major league dreams finally materialize. The Reds gave him his first opportunity after years of grinding through the minor leagues.
Cruz won’t be wearing Cincinnati red this time. Instead, he’s helping hold together a Yankees season that could depend on bullpen depth and reliability.
His Sunday performance proved he’s ready for that responsibility. The veteran reliever may not grab headlines like position players, but his impact on wins and losses is undeniable.
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