NEW YORK — Fernando Cruz was referred to as one of the “heartbeats” of the Yankees by one of his teammates after Wednesday night’s win over the Red Sox in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series.

It was fitting because Cruz was pivotal in making sure the Yankees kept their season alive.

The reliever wiggled his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh inning when the Game 2 thriller was still knotted at three runs apiece — all the while letting out a burst of emotion over 21 seconds .

After Trevor Story made contact, Cruz leapt straight into the air and backpedaled as he willed the ball to stay in the ballpark. Then, Cruz ripped off his hat, jammed it into his glove and pounded his chest with his right fist three times, roaring at the top of his lungs. Cruz spun toward th

See Full Page