Elly De La Cruz's electric night led the Reds to a 6-1 win over the Yankees on June 24. See how De La Cruz's near-cycle dismantled New York's pitching.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you think the Cincinnati Reds have hit their stride, they find another gear. On a buzzing Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park, the Reds didn't just beat the New York Yankees; they dismantled them 6-1, fueled by an absolutely breathtaking performance from Elly De La Cruz. The win marks their 11th in the last 16 games and sends a clear message: this team is for real. And the best part? The excitement is only just beginning.
0-for-12. That was the New York Yankees' final line with runners in scoring position, a testament to the Reds' pitching and defense that refused to break.
Elly De La Cruz was simply a one-man wrecking crew. Going 3-for-4, he was a double shy of the cycle, smashing a triple, a solo home run, and an RBI single to rack up three RBIs. His electrifying triple in the fourth inning blew the game open, and his late-game homer was the exclamation point. He wasn't alone, as Gavin Lux added a solo shot of his own, and Spencer Steer contributed a key sacrifice fly. It was a complete offensive performance that left the Yankees and starter Allan Winans searching for answers.
While the offense grabbed the headlines, the pitching staff was quietly dominant. Starter Nick Lodolo battled through four innings, with his only blemish being a solo homer to Aaron Judge. From there, the bullpen was lights out. Scott Barlow picked up his third win with 1 2/3 scoreless frames, and the relief corps slammed the door, stranding Yankee after Yankee on the basepaths. The defense backed them up brilliantly, highlighted by a spectacular leaping catch from Jake Fraley in the fifth to rob Paul Goldschmidt and kill a potential rally. Holding that potent lineup to a single run is no small feat.
As incredible as Tuesday's win was, the anticipation for Wednesday is even higher. The Reds officially announced that top prospect Chase Burns, the second overall pick in the 2024 draft, will make his Major League debut against the Yankees. Burns has been electric in the minors and is widely considered one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball. His arrival provides a massive potential boost to a rotation that is already performing well, signaling that the front office is all-in on this season's push.
Burns isn't the only reason for optimism. The latest farm system updates show the organization is brimming with high-end pitching talent. Chase Petty isn't far behind Burns, and Rhett Lowder is expected to contribute once he's back to full health. While the system is still searching for more impact outfield bats, young hitters like Alfredo Duno and Tyson Lewis are making waves in the lower levels, ensuring the next wave of talent is already on its way.
What a time to be a Reds fan. The team is hot, Elly is playing like an MVP candidate, and one of the most exciting pitching prospects in years is about to toe the rubber at GABP. Beating the Yankees is always sweet, but doing it with this much swagger, all while knowing reinforcements are here, feels different. Get ready for the Chase Burns era to begin. This team isn't just winning; it's building something special.
