Reds top Guardians 6-3 on June 9, 2025, as Elly De La Cruz's 3-run homer spoils Johnathan Rodríguez's debut despite a big night from Josh Naylor.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
A new face in the outfield wasn't enough to spark a victory on Monday night, as the Guardians kicked off the Battle of Ohio with a thud. Despite a strong showing from Josh Naylor and the debut of the newly recalled Johnathan Rodríguez, a powerful swing from Cincinnati's Elly De La Cruz sealed Cleveland's fate in a 6-3 loss at Progressive Field, dropping the team to 34-31 on the season.
Josh Naylor was a one-man wrecking crew, going 3-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBIs in the loss.
The game felt winnable for a while, locked in a 2-2 tie heading into the fifth inning. That's when Reds superstar Elly De La Cruz did what he does best: change the game with one swing. He launched a three-run homer off starter Luis Ortiz, a blast that sucked the air out of the ballpark and gave Cincinnati a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Ortiz (3-7) battled but ultimately couldn't contain the Reds' power, surrendering five runs and two homers over 5.1 innings. While the bullpen was solid in relief, the damage was done.
The big pre-game news was the roster shuffle in right field. The Guardians optioned Jhonkensy Noel to Triple-A Columbus, recalling Johnathan Rodríguez to take his place. The move is designed to give Rodríguez, who was immediately slotted into the starting lineup, a real shot to provide an offensive jolt. He made his presence felt, lacing a double in his 1-for-4 night. Meanwhile, the hope is that Noel can get consistent at-bats in Columbus to refine his plate approach. It's a classic Guardians move: trying to find the right offensive mix while prioritizing player development.
If there was one major bright spot, it was Josh Naylor. 'Nails' was locked in all night, single-handedly accounting for two of the team's three runs with a solo shot and another RBI. His 3-for-4 performance was stellar, but it also highlighted a familiar problem: where is the rest of the offense? Outside of Naylor, the lineup couldn't string together enough quality at-bats to truly threaten the Reds. As the team hovers a few games above .500, they'll need more than just one player to carry the load.
The loss stings, especially against an in-state rival, but one game doesn't define a series. The Guardians have a chance to even the score tomorrow, and all eyes will be on whether the offense can provide more support and build on the glimmers of hope shown tonight. Can Rodríguez build on his solid return, and can the rest of the lineup follow Naylor's lead? Tuesday's game just got a lot more interesting.
