Elly De La Cruz homered, but the Reds fell to the Twins 6-3 on June 17. Despite a hot start, a costly inning for starter Nick Lodolo sealed the loss. Recap here.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The crack of the bat was electric. Elly De La Cruz sent a first-inning rocket into the stands, giving the Reds an immediate jolt and an early lead. For a moment, it felt like Tuesday night would belong to Cincinnati. But baseball is a nine-inning game, and a costly third-inning rally by the Minnesota Twins ultimately soured the mood, handing the Reds a frustrating 6-3 loss to open the series.
'We battled all night and had some good at-bats late, but just couldn't get the big hit when we needed it.' - Manager Terry Francona
The game couldn't have started better for the Reds. De La Cruz's two-run shot in the first set an optimistic tone. However, the lead was short-lived. The Twins ambushed starter Nick Lodolo in the third, plating four runs highlighted by a bases-clearing, three-run double from Byron Buxton. Lodolo battled through 5.1 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) while striking out six, but the damage was done. Spencer Steer chipped in with an RBI single in the seventh to pull the Reds closer, but the comeback effort stalled as the bullpen couldn't quiet the Minnesota bats.
While the final score was a disappointment, the continued emergence of Elly De La Cruz is a massive win for the Reds. His fifth home run of the season brings his RBI total to 24, and he's been the offensive catalyst the team has desperately needed. Now batting .247 with a .325 on-base percentage, Elly's recent surge has provided stability and excitement at the top of the lineup. His performance wasn't just a flash in the pan; it's a trend that's keeping the Reds dangerous against any opponent.
Coinciding with a game where the bullpen struggled to keep the team within striking distance, the front office made a move to shore up the relief corps. Right-hander Tony Santillan was called up from Triple-A Louisville, where he was dominating with a 2.45 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 22 innings. He takes the roster spot of lefty Alex Young, who was optioned to Louisville after some recent struggles. The hope is that Santillan's power arm can provide a much-needed boost and reliability in the middle innings.
For fans looking for more good news, the future continues to look bright in the minor leagues. Two of the organization's top prospects extended impressive streaks on Tuesday. Catcher Alfredo Duno, a prized international signee, extended his on-base streak to a remarkable 20 games for the Daytona Tortugas. Not to be outdone, his teammate, shortstop Sammy Stafura, pushed his hitting streak to 13 games with a triple. These young players are not just developing; they are dominating, offering a tantalizing glimpse of the talent pipeline flowing towards Cincinnati.
Dropping to 37-36 is a tough pill to swallow, especially in a close home game. But Tuesday wasn't a total loss. Between Elly's continued power display, a fresh arm in the bullpen, and the stellar play from prospects Duno and Stafura, there are clear signs of progress and hope. The Reds will need to shake this one off quickly and come back ready to even the series against the Twins tomorrow.
