Cody Bellinger’s splendid diving catch seals Yankees’ sweep of Royals

As nan imaginable game-tying deed flew done nan air, Aaron Boone yelled “Come on, Belly!” 

In nan apical of nan ninth inning pinch nan tying runner connected 2nd base, nan Royals’ MJ Melendez roped nan shot into correct field.

And contempt immoderate stumbling, Cody Bellinger laid out, correct limb extended, to make nan highlight-reel game-winning catch. 

The 2019 Gold Glove winner’s play helped nan Yankees expanse nan three-game bid pinch a 4-3 triumph complete nan Royals connected Wednesday nighttime successful The Bronx. 

In nan aftermath, Aaron Judge was successful awe from nan dugout, and Clarke Schmidt said he could perceive and consciousness nan Yankee Stadium crowd respond to nan sensational play from nan training room. 

Cody Bellinger makes a game-saving diving drawback successful nan ninth inning to adjacent retired nan Yankees’ 4-3 triumph complete nan Twins connected April 16, 2025. Corey Sipkin for nan NY POST

“Definitely was anticipating nan shot being deed pinch nan matchup,” Bellinger said pursuing nan win. “I didn’t cognize if it was going to beryllium a crushed shot aliases alert ball, but I was conscionable anticipating nan ball. And wherever it was, I conscionable wanted to make nan champion first jump. … I had a small awkward 2nd measurement location and [my] caput was bobbing a small excessively much. But, I had a bully hit connected it and I saw nan measurement nan shot was going truthful I was conscionable gladsome I was capable to drawback it and get nan win.” 

After nan catch, Bellinger sat connected nan ground, holding up his mitt successful triumph.

The diving drawback besides sealed Fernando Cruz’s first profession save. 

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“There is simply a logic he’s sewage golden successful his mitt to beryllium capable to make that catch, particularly successful a large infinitesimal for illustration that — crippled connected nan statement pinch a runner connected 2nd base,” Judge said of nan play. “And to laic retired there, extended retired for nan team, that was beautiful impressive.” 

Cody Bellinger and nan Yankees sewage nan triumph connected Wednesday. Corey Sipkin for nan NY POST

“Great play, I mean he’s specified a bully athlete. He’s truthful bully wherever you put him,” Boone added. “Kind of started stumbling but still was kinda capable to support his equilibrium capable to make a awesome 1 there. Really gritty triumph today.” 

Bellinger, who was getting successful early batting believe pinch hitting coach James Rowson anterior to nan game, besides had a productive time astatine nan plate. 

He went 1-for-4 pinch an RBI double successful nan 4th inning to springiness nan Yankees a 3-0 lead.

Prior to Wednesday, he was 2-for-20 successful his past six games.