This is the moment that the Yankees envisioned.
Carlos Rodon’s pitching was solid for six innings, if not stellar. Fernando Cruz was energetic and enthusiastic. Devin Williams managed to get the ground ball he needed to neutralize the Red Sox hitter. David Bedner showed his composure by securing his first October save.
Despite facing scrutiny after a loss in Game 1, the Yankees’ bullpen held strong and clinched a 4-3 victory at home on Wednesday, forcing a Game 3.
“We had a rough patch in September, like many teams do,” Cruz said about the struggling bullpen. “But everyone knows our capabilities. We have really good units.” Not quite as passionate as Cruz himself.
Cruz was thrust into a tough situation in the seventh inning, facing two no-out jams. He collected himself, and then Sedanne Rafaela laid down a bunt for an out, followed by a flyout by Nick Sogaard. Yoshida hit a hard grounder right at second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who was unable to make the play, but at least kept the run from scoring.
“That was the turning point,” Cruz remarked, as he saw Trevor Story hit a deep fly to center, prompting a celebration that Yankees fans will remember as the season’s high note.
He faced center field, bouncing as the ball soared through the air, yelling and pumping his chest once he secured it in his glove. He turned towards the dugout, where manager Aaron Boone cracked a joke.
“This is something I’ve dreamed about,” said Cruz, 35, from Puerto Rico. “I’m an emotional guy. I’m passionate about what I do, and I love it. It’s time to let that show.”
Cruz’s teammates followed his lead effectively, though perhaps a bit more subdued.
In the eighth, Williams gave up a leadoff single to Alex Bregman, which made fans anxious, recalling his struggles this season ending with a 4.79 ERA. Yet, he quickly turned things around, getting Nathaniel Lowe into a double play before unleashing a nasty changeup that fooled Carlos Narvers.
“He’s on a roll, pitching confidently and effectively with his best stuff,” Boone said about Williams, emphasizing how he rises to the occasion.
Next up was Bedner, alongside Luke Weaver, who had allowed a critical run in the Game 1 defeat. After a couple of tense moments, he caught Rafaela’s deep fly ball, which drifted near the wall.
“No doubt about it,” Bednar smiled, recalling his first career playoff save.
He had pitched for two consecutive days, expending a lot of effort. Would he be ready for a third? “Absolutely,” Bednar replied.
