Rookie Elly De La Cruz had a standout performance in a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians. De La Cruz hit two home runs and drove in four runs, helping the Reds win 11-7. His first homer came in the fourth inning off Lucas Giolito, and his second was a massive 467-foot blast in the eighth inning against Xzavion Curry. Other rookies, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Luke Maile, and TJ Friedl, also hit home runs for Cincinnati.
The win brought the Reds within two games of the playoffs as they chase the second and third NL wild-card spots. Bo Naylor and Kole Calhoun hit home runs for the Guardians, but it was not enough to secure a victory. The game marked one of the last home games for Guardians manager Terry Francona, who is set to retire soon. Pitchers Sam Moll, Fernando Cruz, and Lucas Sims combined efforts to retire 14 straight batters for the Reds. Although the Guardians had a moment of hope when they took a 6-4 lead in the third inning, the Reds fought back and ultimately secured the win.
