Daily News 19

Tag: Elly De La Cruz

  • Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Rhett Lowder Faces Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Starting Pitcher Duel

    Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Rhett Lowder Faces Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Starting Pitcher Duel

    Reds Eliminated from Postseason Contention as Dodgers Prevail 4-1

    CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds’ faint playoff hopes were officially extinguished Monday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 4-1 victory at Great American Ball Park, dropping the Reds to 70-80 on the season.

    De La Cruz Continues Historic Power Surge

    The lone bright spot for Cincinnati came from Elly De La Cruz, who launched a mammoth home run estimated at 457 feet. The blast cleared the power stacks in left-center field and exited the stadium entirely, marking the second consecutive week the shortstop has produced a tape-measure shot. Just seven days earlier, De La Cruz hit a similarly awe-inspiring home run from the opposite side of the plate against Dodgers ace Tarik Skubal — feats of raw power that remain virtually unmatched across Major League Baseball.

    Season Slips Further Into Lost Territory

    Despite De La Cruz’s heroics, the Reds’ offense mustered no further support. The loss pushes Cincinnati a full ten games under .500, cementing another disappointing campaign for a franchise searching for its identity. With the postseason mathematically out of reach, attention inevitably shifts toward offseason planning and the development of young talent.

    Lowder Faces Critical Test Against Yamamoto

    Right-hander Rhett Lowder takes the mound Tuesday night in what amounts to a pivotal audition for his 2027 role. The former first-round pick has struggled to show meaningful progression this season, and anything short of a sharp outing will force the front office to prioritize starting rotation depth this winter. Opposing him will be Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, one of the game’s premier pitchers.

    First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM ET at Great American Ball Park.

    Tuesday’s Lineups

    Los Angeles Dodgers

    • Josue De Paula – DH
    • Freddie Freeman – 1B
    • Mookie Betts – SS
    • Kyle Tucker – RF
    • Teoscar Hernandez – LF
    • Max Muncy – 3B
    • Tommy Edman – CF
    • Hunter Feduccia – C
    • Alex Freeland – 2B
    • Y. Yamamoto – RHP

    Cincinnati Reds

    • Carlos Jorge – CF
    • Elly De La Cruz – SS
    • Sal Stewart – 1B
    • JJ Bleday – LF
    • Eugenio Suarez – DH
    • Hector Rodriguez – RF
    • Matt McLain – 2B
    • Juan Brito – 3B
    • Will Banfield – C
    • Rhett Lowder – RHP
  • How to Watch Dodgers vs. Reds: TV Channel, Streaming Options for Sept. 14 Game

    How to Watch Dodgers vs. Reds: TV Channel, Streaming Options for Sept. 14 Game

    Reds Host Dodgers in NL Showdown at Great American Ball Park

    The Cincinnati Reds welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to Great American Ball Park on Monday for a 6:40 p.m. ET first pitch. Cincinnati will lean on Eugenio Suárez, who enters the contest on a two-game home run streak, while Los Angeles sends ace Tarik Skubal to the mound.

    Starting Pitchers and Team Records

    Skubal (9–7, 2.84 ERA) takes the ball for a Dodgers squad that owns the best record in the National League West at 90–59. Opposite him, left-hander Nick Lodolo (3–4, 5.12 ERA) is expected to start for the Reds, who sit fifth in the NL Central at 70–79.

    How to Watch and Betting Lines

    Moneyline: Dodgers -222 | Reds +180
    Total: 7.5 runs (Over -110 / Under -110)

    Injury Reports

    Los Angeles Dodgers

    • Dalton Rushing – 10-Day IL (Elbow)
    • Andy Pagés – 10-Day IL (Hand)
    • Rōki Sasaki – 15-Day IL (Finger)
    • Edwin Díaz – 15-Day IL (Neck)
    • Shohei Ohtani – 15-Day IL (Biceps)
    • Gavin Stone – 60-Day IL (Shoulder)
    • Jake Cousins – 60-Day IL (Elbow)
    • Eric Lauer – 60-Day IL (Elbow)
    • Brusdar Graterol – 60-Day IL (Shoulder)
    • Kris Bubic – 60-Day IL (Elbow)
    • Will Klein – 60-Day IL (Elbow)
    • Ben Casparius – 60-Day IL (Shoulder)

    Cincinnati Reds

    • Spencer Steer – 10-Day IL (Wrist)
    • Hunter Greene – 60-Day IL (Elbow)
    • Mike Toglia – 60-Day IL (Shoulder)
    • Blake Dunn – 60-Day IL (Elbow)

    Key Player Statistics

    Freddie Freeman (LAD)

    Through 609 plate appearances, Freeman has posted a .293/.371/.447 slash line with 16 home runs, 66 RBI, and 72 runs scored. He carries a 10.7% walk rate and a 16.9% strikeout rate.

    Kyle Tucker (LAD)

    In 576 plate appearances, Tucker is slashing .226/.323/.369 with 14 home runs, 65 RBI, and 79 runs scored. He has swiped 10 bases in 10 attempts, alongside a 12.3% walk rate and 17.5% strikeout rate.

    Sal Stewart (CIN)

    Stewart owns a .270/.340/.476 line across 645 plate appearances. He leads the club with 31 home runs (11th in MLB) and 106 RBI (2nd in MLB), adding 82 runs scored, 15 steals on 20 attempts, a 9.5% walk rate, and a 21.4% strikeout rate for an .816 OPS.

    Elly De La Cruz (CIN)

    De La Cruz has slashed .284/.361/.510 in 581 plate appearances, belting 26 home runs with 71 RBI and 91 runs scored (15th in MLB). He has stolen 25 bases in 33 attempts, walking at a 10.7% clip while striking out at a 27.5% rate.

    This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive. Betting/odds, ticketing, and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

    Photo credits: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

  • Elly De La Cruz Homers in 5th Straight Game

    Elly De La Cruz Homers in 5th Straight Game

    Elly De La Cruz Extends Home Run Streak to Five Games Against Dodgers

    LOS ANGELES — Even against one of baseball’s elite pitchers, Elly De La Cruz continued his historic power surge. The Cincinnati Reds shortstop launched a first-pitch, 97.4 mph fastball from Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto over the center-field wall in the fourth inning Wednesday night, a Statcast-projected 403-foot solo shot that extended his home run streak to a career-best five consecutive games.

    Record-Setting Pace for Switch-Hitter

    The blast marked De La Cruz’s 26th home run of the season, establishing a new career high and breaking his own single-season franchise record of 25 set in 2024 for the most homers by a switch-hitter in Reds history. The five-game streak stands as the longest of his career and the longest ever by a switch-hitter for the club. It also ties him for the second-longest streak overall in franchise history, leaving him just two games shy of Joey Votto’s record of seven straight games with a home run, set in July 2021.

    Lone Bright Spot in Lopsided Loss

    While the Dodgers answered with a six-run fourth inning to blow open a 14-1 victory, De La Cruz’s solo shot provided Cincinnati’s only run. Taking an elite starter deep on the first pitch of an at-bat is remarkable on its own — the homer was just the 19th allowed by Yamamoto this season — and underscores why the 24-year-old remains the engine of the Reds’ offense.

    “Well, it’s fun to watch,” manager Terry Francona said of De La Cruz’s recent tear. “I mean, on a night that there wasn’t a lot of fun stuff to watch, it’s pretty impressive.”

    Milestones Continue to Accumulate

    The solo shot added another entry to De La Cruz’s growing list of franchise milestones. Beyond the home run streak, Wednesday’s blast marked his 223rd career extra-base hit, surpassing Dmitri Young for third-most by a switch-hitter in Reds history behind only Pete Rose (868) and Ron Oester (265).

    This performance follows a Tuesday night showcase that highlighted De La Cruz’s elite combination of power and arm strength. In addition to a 444-foot home run off Tarik Skubal — the longest hit at Dodger Stadium in 2026 — De La Cruz threw out Teoscar Hernández at the plate with a 102 mph relay strike, demonstrating how his game-breaking ability alters outcomes on both sides of the ball.

  • Elly De La Cruz hits a homer, throws out a runner at home in Reds’ loss

    Elly De La Cruz hits a homer, throws out a runner at home in Reds’ loss

    Elly De La Cruz Powers Reds With Historic Home Run, Record-Setting Throw in Loss to Dodgers

    LOS ANGELES — Elly De La Cruz delivered a two-way showcase of elite power and arm strength Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium, though his heroics weren’t enough to prevent the Cincinnati Reds from falling 3-2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

    De La Cruz Launches Longest Home Run of 2026 Season at Dodger Stadium

    In the top of the third inning, De La Cruz turned on a first-pitch, 87.5 mph changeup from Dodgers starter Tarik Skubal, sending a Statcast-projected 444-foot blast into left-center field. The two-run homer tied the game and marked the longest home run hit at Dodger Stadium during the 2026 season, surpassing a July 12 shot by Shohei Ohtani by seven feet.

    The round-tripper matched De La Cruz’s single-season career high with his 25th home run and extended his home run streak to four consecutive games. As he rounded third base, the 24-year-old shortstop pointed toward the seats behind home plate, acknowledging his brother in the stands.

    “I thought it was a good pitch to hit,” De La Cruz said of the blast. “We always want to come out with a win, but it feels good to do the job.”

    Record-Breaking 102 mph Throw Guns Down Hernández at the Plate

    De La Cruz wasn’t finished making an impact in the third inning. In the bottom half, Teoscar Hernández lined a ball to center field that skipped to the outfield gate. Third-base coach Dino Ebel waved Hernández home, but De La Cruz gathered the relay from left fielder JJ Bleday, turned, and uncorked a strike to catcher Jose Trevino that nailed Hernández at the plate.

    The throw registered 102.0 mph per Statcast, establishing the fastest assist by an infielder since tracking began in 2015. It surpassed De La Cruz’s own previous record of 99.8 mph, which he had achieved twice.

    “That was one of the better throws you’ll ever see, I mean, ever,” manager Terry Francona said. “I know I turn on the old things and you see Dave Parker or somebody making throws or Clemente; they might be showing that one 1789029340.”

    “Every time he throws a ball, it’s an absolute rocket,” starting pitcher Nick Lodolo added. “It was a great throw, and it was a great pick by Trevi to stay with that and make the tag. A lot of credit to both guys there.”

    De La Cruz himself downplayed the velocity.

    “I thought it was like 98, 99 [mph],” De La Cruz said. “I didn’t know; it was not hard.”

    Lodolo Battles Command Issues in Hometown Start

    While De La Cruz generated the night’s highlight-reel moments, Lodolo worked through a challenging outing in front of his Southern California crowd. The left-hander lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits with six strikeouts across 97 pitches.

    Lodolo surrendered a solo home run to Will Smith in the first inning. His command wavered in the second, when a pair of walks and a hit-by-pitch forced home a run, though he escaped further damage. Francona noted improvement as the game progressed before a two-out single by Hernández in the fifth ended Lodolo’s night.

    “I thought early he wasn’t commanding,” Francona said. “As he got into the third, fourth, fifth, I actually thought he was better, and I was kind of fighting it [leaving him in] because I know Hernández wasn’t a great matchup, but I really wanted him to get through that fifth. I thought it would have been really good for him, [but then] he reached out and poked a 3-1 changeup into right.”

    Lodolo acknowledged the early struggles defined his outing.

    “Too many free passes on my part,” Lodolo admitted. “That’s what led to the runs outside of the good hit by Smith in the first. Overall, got to limit the free passes. My stuff is great, just gotta limit that and make them work a little bit more.”

    Reds Seek to Avoid Sweep in Series Finale

    The loss snapped a strong stretch for Cincinnati, which had entered the week having won three consecutive series against the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Milwaukee Brewers. The Reds will attempt to avoid a sweep and salvage Wednesday night’s finale against the Dodgers.