Fernando Cruz came up big for the Reds.
The Cincinnati Reds defeated the New York Yankees 3-2 on Wednesday to win the series, and Fernando Cruz’s clutch performance in the seventh inning to get Aaron Judge to ground into a double play was a significant factor in the victory. Cruz was heated up, and he described his feelings after the game.
“It was time to compete,” Fernando Cruz told The Associated Press. I know who you are. I’m here. I have three pitches to get you out, and I don’t think you’re expecting a fastball in the middle of the plate, which I’m going to throw to you.”
Cruz challenged Aaron Judge, the game’s top batter. The predicament involved runners on the corners and one out. The Yankees scored two runs against Cruz earlier in the inning, thanks to an Anthony Volpe double. They were poised to tie the game with a strong at-bat from Judge. Finally, Judge hit it hard, but it was right at Noelvi Marte, who initiated the inning-ending double play.
The Reds got out of the jam, and Cruz characterized it as “the best feeling in the world.”
“Shutting down the fans, the crowd—the game was on the line, and shutting them down is one of the best feelings in sports for me,” Cruz told The Associated Press. “I don’t know what’s better than that.”
Cruz knew he was up against baseball’s top hitter, Judge, who leads the league in home runs (32), RBI (83), and OPS (1.158). He enjoyed the task.
“It’s the best hitter in the world; there’s no doubt about it,” Cruz told The Associated Press. “There’s no better way to compete.”
The Reds then cruised through the eighth and ninth innings to secure a 3-2 victory.
Reds trying to stay in wild card chase
The Reds won the series against the Yankees and will look to complete the sweep on July 4 with Frankie Montas pitching against his former team. Cincinnati improved to 41-45 overall with Wednesday’s win. The Reds are 3.5 games out of the National League’s final wild card place.
To make the playoffs, Cincinnati must pass five clubs ahead of them in the National League standings. The Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants lead the Reds by a half game, the Arizona Diamondbacks by a game, and the New York Mets by two games.
The Reds won the series against the Yankees and will look to complete the sweep on July 4 with Frankie Montas pitching against his former team. Cincinnati improved to 41-45 overall with Wednesday’s win. The Reds are 3.5 games out of the National League’s final wild card place.
To make the playoffs, Cincinnati must pass five clubs ahead of them in the National League standings. The Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants lead the Reds by a half game, the Arizona Diamondbacks by a game, and the New York Mets by two games.
As previously stated, the St. Louis Cardinals hold the final wild card berth, with the Reds trailing them by 3.5 games.
To avoid being sellers before the trade deadline, the Reds are attempting to maintain their position in the National League playoff race. The club had a lot of young talent, and this was a year when they planned to make significant progress.
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