As the possible game-tying hit flew through the air, Aaron Boone yelled “Come on, Belly!”
In the top of the ninth inning with the tying runner on second base, the Royals’ MJ Melendez roped the ball into right field.
And despite some stumbling, Cody Bellinger laid out, right arm extended, to make the highlight-reel game-winning catch.
The 2019 Gold Glove winner’s play helped the Yankees sweep the three-game series with a 4-3 win over the Royals on Wednesday night in The Bronx.
In the aftermath, Aaron Judge was in awe from the dugout, and Clarke Schmidt said he could hear and feel the Yankee Stadium crowd react to the sensational play from the training room.
“Definitely was anticipating the ball being hit with the matchup,” Bellinger said following the win. “I didn’t know if it was going to be a ground ball or fly ball, but I was just anticipating the ball. And wherever it was, I just wanted to make the best first jump. … I had a little awkward second step there and [my] head was bobbing a little too much. But, I had a good beat on it and I saw the way the ball was going so I was just glad I was able to catch it and get the win.”
After the catch, Bellinger sat on the ground, holding up his glove in triumph.
The diving grab also sealed Fernando Cruz’s first career save.
“There is a reason he’s got gold in his glove to be able to make that catch, especially in a big moment like that — game on the line with a runner on second base,” Judge said of the play. “And to lay out there, extended out for the team, that was pretty impressive.”
“Great play, I mean he’s such a good athlete. He’s so good wherever you put him,” Boone added. “Kind of started stumbling but still was kinda able to maintain his balance enough to make a great one there. Really gritty win today.”
Bellinger, who was getting in early batting practice with hitting coach James Rowson prior to the game, also had a productive day at the plate.
He went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in the fourth inning to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead.
Prior to Wednesday, he was 2-for-20 in his past six games.
