Yankees pitcher literally spanks a Rays hitter in surprising mid-game choice

Billy Heyen

Yankees pitcher literally spanks a Rays hitter in surprising mid-game choice image

Baseball always provides the opportunity to see something new.

Yankees and Rays fans were treated to quite the unique sight on Saturday afternoon.

New York reliever Fernando Cruz was pitching to Rays hitter Yandy Diaz. The right-handed matchup resulted in a ground ball to the first baseman.

Cruz hustled over to cover the bag, took the flip and stepped on first for the out.

Then he waited for Diaz and gave him a spank on the backside as he ran by.

Seriously.

MORE: Yankees' Austin Wells turns burritos into special moment

Cruz's name is one Yankees fans should get familiar with.

He leads all MLB pitchers in strikeouts in relief.

But they'll likely now associate his name more with this moment.

It's unclear whether Cruz and Diaz have a history. Now they do, though.

MORE: Aaron Judge's RBI a day keeps the pitchers in dismay

Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle