Elly De La Cruz's 3 HRs and Austin Hays' 2 HRs powered the Reds to a huge win over the Padres on June 28. See how their offensive onslaught made history.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the Cincinnati Reds' offense couldn't get any hotter, Elly De La Cruz decided to put on a show for the ages. The superstar shortstop blasted three home runs and drove in six runs on Saturday, leading the Reds to a massive win against the San Diego Padres in an absolute slugfest. It was a statement victory that proves this team's power is no fluke.
Jacob Hurtubise is simply on another planet right now, batting .583 with a .688 OBP and a .917 SLG. Unbelievable.
Saturday's game was pure fireworks from the Cincinnati nine. Elly De La Cruz was the main event, launching three majestic shots out of the park. But he wasn't alone in the home run derby. Austin Hays had a monster game himself, smashing two homers and driving in an incredible seven RBIs. The entire lineup was relentless, overwhelming a stunned Padres pitching staff. Even with Forrest Wall hitting two homers for San Diego, they couldn't come close to matching the Reds' firepower. This wasn't just a win; it was a demolition.
The craziest part of Elly's three-homer game? It was the *second* time a Red had done it in as many nights. On Friday, it was Spencer Steer's turn to play hero, going 3-for-4 with three home runs in his first-ever three-homer game. Steer has been on a tear lately, hitting .308 over his last 41 games and providing a steady, powerful presence in the lineup. That game also featured a masterful performance from Nick Martinez, who took a no-hitter into the ninth inning. Pitching and power—that's a winning combination.
While the bats are getting the headlines, let's not forget who took the mound for the Reds on Saturday: Andrew Abbott. The left-hander came into the game with a sparkling 7-1 record and a minuscule 1.79 ERA, one of the best in the entire National League. Having an ace like Abbott providing stability allows the offense to swing freely, knowing they have a stopper on the mound. It’s this combination of elite pitching and explosive hitting that makes the 2025 Reds so dangerous.
With back-to-back historic offensive performances and an ace leading the rotation, the Reds are sending a clear message to the rest of the league. This team is for real. As they look to complete the series against the Padres, the confidence is sky-high. If the bats stay this hot and the pitching holds strong, Cincinnati is not just a team to watch—they're a team to fear.
