Andrew Abbott pitched into the seventh inning with only two hits allowed and Fernando Cruz induced Aaron Judge to ground into a crucial double play, guiding the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 victory over the struggling New York Yankees on Wednesday night.
Noelvi Marte smashed a two-run homer and Stuart Fairchild also hit a home run as the Reds handed Carlos Rodón his fourth consecutive loss. They secured their first series win in nearly a month with back-to-back narrow victories at Yankee Stadium.
Cincinnati had struggled in their previous six series, going winless in four and drawing two ties since their last series victory against the Chicago Cubs from June 6-9.
“We played well. That’s important for us,” manager David Bell commented. “Winning the first two games is great, but we also have tomorrow, and that’s equally important for us.”
Anthony Volpe broke an 0-for-18 slump with a two-run double off Cruz in the seventh inning, followed by a wild pitch and a walk to Juan Soto, setting up runners at the corners with the score 3-2.
After a visit from pitching coach Derek Johnson, Cruz delivered the pitch and induced Judge to ground into a double play that ended the threat.
“It was time to compete,” Cruz reflected. “I knew what I had to do. I have three pitches to get you out, and I didn’t think you were expecting a fastball in the middle of the plate, so I threw it.”
An elated Cruz celebrated with a big fist pump and shouted in joy as he left the mound. He described 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 said. “I don’t know what’s better than that.”
