SANTO DOMINGO – Dominican player Elly De La Cruz once again demonstrated his offensive ability by hitting his ninth home run of the season, contributing significantly to the Cincinnati Reds’ victory over the Detroit Tigers with a score of 9-2.
De La Cruz’s hit, a two-run homer in the second inning, extended Cincinnati’s lead and set the course of the game. The Reds’ offense was relentless, with Sal Stewart also standing out by hitting a three-run home run and driving in five runs. Nathaniel Lowe and TJ Friedl’s home runs were added to these.
This result raises Cincinnati’s record to 18-9, placing them nine games above .500, a milestone they haven’t reached since 2003, marking their best start to a season in more than two decades.
De La Cruz and Stewart have made history by becoming the second pair of teammates in franchise history, since 1900, to connect at least nine home runs each before May, matching the mark set by Austin Kearns and Adam Dunn in 2003.
In the mound, right-hander Brady Singer (2-1) pitched for 5.1 innings, allowing eight hits and two runs, both the product of solo home runs. For Detroit, rookie Kevin McGonigle opened the game with a home run, extending his streak of reaching base to 23 games.
Tigers’ starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (0-2) suffered the loss after giving up six earned runs and three home runs, in a difficult performance for the right-hander.
With this outstanding performance, De La Cruz reaffirms his position as a key figure in Cincinnati’s offense at the start of the season.
