Elly De La Cruz powers the Reds to a 6-1 win over the Yankees on June 24, 2025. Recap De La Cruz's 3-hit night and how Cincinnati's pitching stifled New York.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you think the Cincinnati Reds' recent hot streak can't get any more exciting, Elly De La Cruz goes out and puts on a show. The electric shortstop did it all on Tuesday, powering the Reds to a dominant 6-1 victory over the New York Yankees at Great American Ball Park, reminding everyone that he is one of the most dynamic talents in the game.
The powerhouse New York Yankees went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position, a testament to the Reds' clutch pitching and defense.
It was The Elly De La Cruz Show from start to finish. He finished the night with three hits, including a crucial RBI triple in the fourth inning and a towering solo home run in the eighth that put the game on ice. His three RBIs led the charge, but his energy was palpable throughout the ballpark. This performance is just a continuation of a torrid June for Elly, who is now batting .309 with six homers this month. When he's locked in like this, the entire team feeds off his momentum.
While Elly stole the headlines, he wasn't the only Red to make a major impact. Gavin Lux continued his fantastic season, launching a home run and proving once again to be a steady, high-on-base presence in the lineup. Lux is hitting .316 on the year and has become an indispensable contributor. On the mound, the bullpen was lights out. Scott Barlow picked up the win with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, but the entire unit was masterful, holding a potent Yankees lineup completely hitless with runners in scoring position. Shutting down Aaron Judge (despite his solo homer) and company in clutch situations was the key to the game.
As incredible as Tuesday's win was, the excitement is about to hit another level. The Reds officially announced that top pitching prospect Chase Burns, the No. 2 overall pick in last year's draft, will make his Major League debut in the next game against these same Yankees. Burns is considered a future ace, a flamethrower set to join the already formidable young rotation of Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Lodolo. His arrival signals the next wave of talent from a farm system that continues to produce elite arms.
The Reds are now winners of two straight and 11 of their last 16, playing their best baseball of the season. They've dispatched the mighty Yankees and are fired up. Now, with the franchise's next great hope on the mound for his debut, the energy in Cincinnati is off the charts. All eyes will be on Chase Burns tomorrow. A new chapter for the Reds is about to begin.
