The Cincinnati Reds narrowly lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 in an intense 11-inning contest on a sweltering day at Busch Stadium. Despite Elly De La Cruz’s heroic home run despite illness, the Reds were unable to hold their lead, leaving them trailing the Cardinals by three games in the National League Central standings with a 39-38 record.
Reds’ Bullpen Unable to Secure Lead in Critical Moments
The Reds held a promising 5-2 advantage entering the eighth inning, but the bullpen faltered at the worst time. Right-hander Tony Santillan, typically a consistent reliever, gave up four straight singles with two outs and nobody on base, narrowing the lead to 5-4. When closer Emilio Pagan entered to stop the Cardinals’ rally, he instead surrendered a game-tying home run to Nolan Arenado in the ninth inning. This collapse revealed the Reds bullpen’s vulnerability, which had limited opponents to just two earned runs over nearly eight innings but could not preserve the crucial lead against a fierce rival.
The bullpen’s inability to finish the game highlighted a recurring challenge for Cincinnati this season. With the damage done late, the Reds could not capitalize on their early advantage, a pattern that could have lasting consequences as the competitive division race intensifies.
Extra-Inning Struggles Continue to Haunt Cincinnati
Beyond the bullpen issues, the Reds’ problems extended to their performance in extra innings. This has been a persistent issue, as this loss marked the sixth time in seven extra-inning games that Cincinnati failed to score beyond the ninth inning. In the 10th inning, after starting with a runner on second base, the Reds couldn’t advance their position and went down in order. The 11th inning was even more disappointing; with Spencer Steer on third base with no outs, the Reds were unable to bring him home, ultimately succumbing to the Cardinals’ pressure and surrendering the final run.
These recurring struggles in clutch situations are an area that the team must address promptly, especially with the All-Star break approaching and division standings remaining tight.
Elly De La Cruz’s Determination Shines Despite Physical Strain
Among the hardships, Elly De La Cruz’s performance was a bright spot. The 23-year-old shortstop showed remarkable resilience after a difficult moment in the third inning when he vomited on the field due to the 96-degree heat at Busch Stadium. Despite this, he returned to play with renewed energy.
His defining moment came in the seventh inning, when De La Cruz launched a powerful two-run home run that traveled 435 feet to center field. This impressive feat demonstrated both his physical skill and mental toughness amid discomfort. His ability to overcome illness and still deliver a crucial hit underscored his importance to the Reds and gave fans hope despite the final score.
“”I was feeling dizzy but I knew I had to keep fighting for my team.” —Elly De La Cruz, Shortstop
Looking Forward: Reds Face Must-Win Situation
Following this heart-wrenching loss, the Reds now turn their focus to the series finale against the Cardinals. Left-hander Andrew Abbott, holding a 6-1 record and an outstanding 1.84 ERA, is expected to start for Cincinnati against St. Louis right-hander Miles Mikolas. The matchup holds significant weight as the Reds seek to bounce back and close the gap in the division race.
Moving forward, addressing bullpen inconsistencies and improving execution in high-pressure moments will be critical for Cincinnati. With players like Elly De La Cruz showcasing grit and talent, the Reds have a capable core that can inspire a turnaround. This loss serves as a difficult but potentially motivating lesson as the season reaches its crucial phases, offering a chance for growth and renewed effort toward postseason contention.