Elly De La Cruz's 4-hit night powered the Reds to a 7-2 win over the Rays on July 26. See how his electric performance sparked the decisive victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some nights, one player just decides a game is his. Last night at Great American Ball Park, that player was Elly De La Cruz. The Reds' superstar shortstop put on an absolute clinic, collecting four hits and sparking a relentless offensive attack that led to a decisive 7-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
'Elly set the tone for us tonight. When he's locked in, we're a different team.' - Manager David Bell
It was a performance that had Reds Country buzzing and #EllyElectric trending all night. De La Cruz was simply unstoppable, going 4-for-5 at the plate, scoring multiple runs, and driving in another. Every time he stepped to the plate, it felt like something big was about to happen. His masterful performance boosted his season average to .283 and served as a powerful reminder of the game-changing talent he possesses. As manager David Bell aptly put it, Elly's energy and production set the stage for the entire team's success.
While Elly's bat provided the fireworks, the Reds' pitching staff provided the stability. Starter Nick Martinez wasn't overpowering, but he was effective, grinding through five innings and allowing just two runs to earn his ninth win of the season. He navigated the Rays' lineup well enough to hand a lead to the bullpen, and from there, it was lights out. The relief corps was flawless, tossing four scoreless innings to slam the door and secure the victory, lowering Martinez's season ERA to 4.12 in the process.
This wasn't just another win in July; it was a crucial victory that keeps the Reds' postseason dreams very much alive. Now at 54-50, they remain third in the NL Central but are firmly entrenched in the crowded NL Wild Card race. With the trade deadline just days away, wins like this send a strong message to the front office. While the wire was quiet on Saturday with no transactions or major injury updates, the team's performance on the field is making the case for being buyers and adding pieces for a serious October push.
With two straight wins under their belt and the offense firing on all cylinders, the Reds have a chance to secure a huge series win against a quality Rays team. All eyes will be on how they carry this momentum forward and what moves, if any, the front office makes before the deadline. For now, Reds fans can celebrate a dominant win fueled by their electric shortstop.
