Yankees Rookie Learns Tough Defensive Lesson in Subway Series Loss

In the ninth inning, with the game tied and the go-ahead run on third, Francisco Lindor lifted a deep fly ball to left-center. Luisangel Acuña, a blur on the basepaths, was tagging from third. Cody Bellinger had to sprint 79 feet to his right just to settle under the ball and make a throw home. Dominguez only needed to move 55 feet to his left but peeled off at the last second, deferring to the veteran.

Acuña scored easily, sliding headfirst before Bellinger’s one-hop throw reached the plate. Realistically, it wouldn’t have mattered who made the catch, as Acuña’s speed was too much.

But Bellinger wanted Dominguez to learn from the situation. He feels Dominguez should be more confident to call for balls where he has a better chance of making the play.

“I actually think he had a better lane into it,” Bellinger told Max Goodman of NJ.com. “I heard it late and I was like, ‘OK, I’m just going to catch the ball.’”

Afterward, Bellinger and Dominguez discussed it extensively. The TV camera also showed them discussing it on their way in from the outfield and back to the dugout.

Bellinger felt good about the situation.

“It’s gonna be good for the future to have that happen right now,” Bellinger said.

For Dominguez, the defensive learning curve remains steep. But Saturday was a reminder that growth isn’t always about results—it’s about having the confidence to take control when the moment calls for it. That’s the next step.