The Cincinnati Reds achieved a commanding 6-1 victory over the New York Yankees, showcasing rookie sensation Elly De La Cruz, who shined with three hits including a home run, a triple, and a single—all instrumental in driving in three runs and scoring twice. This win marked the Reds’ 11th victory in 16 games, narrowing the gap to just 5.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the division race.
De La Cruz’s standout performance was complemented by strong pitching efforts. Starting pitcher Nick Lodolo, despite facing traffic on the bases, managed 4.1 innings with no walks and six strikeouts. The bullpen followed suit, providing 4.2 innings of relief during which they did not allow a single run, giving up only one hit and notching seven strikeouts.
The evening started with the Yankees taking a 1-0 lead thanks to a home run from Aaron Judge. However, the Reds quickly responded, with De La Cruz tripling to score a runner in the fourth and later hitting his 18th home run in the eighth inning while batting right-handed. De La Cruz expressed his excitement about playing against the Yankees, a team he admired as a child.
Reds manager Tito Francona praised De La Cruz’s performance and shared confidence in his bullpen, especially noting Scott Barlow’s impressive relief work when the game seemed uncertain. The Yankees struggled notably, going 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position and stranding nine players on base throughout the game.
Looking ahead, Francona is optimistic about the upcoming MLB debut of rookie Chase Burns, who has rapidly ascended through the minor leagues. This debut against the Yankees represents a significant milestone in Burns’ career, having transitioned from higher education to major league action in just one year.
In this thrilling matchup, the Reds demonstrated both offensive prowess and strength in pitching, showcasing the bright future ahead for the team.