Elly De La Cruz delivered an outstanding offensive display on Monday night, helping the Cincinnati Reds secure a 6-1 victory over the visiting New York Yankees. In the opening game of their three-match series, De La Cruz homered, tripled, singled, and drove in three runs, making a strong statement with his batting prowess.
Despite a couple of defensive missteps earlier in the game, De La Cruz nearly completed his second career cycle, falling just two hits short. He capped his memorable night with his 18th home run, a powerful opposite-field shot to right field in the eighth inning. Additionally, Reds teammate Gavin Lux contributed a solo home run, adding to Cincinnati’s commanding lead.
Pitching Efforts Cement Cincinnati’s Commanding Win
On the mound, Cincinnati reliever Scott Barlow (3-0) took over from starter Nick Lodolo with one out in the fifth inning and retired all five batters he faced, earning the win for the Reds. Lodolo laid the groundwork before Barlow’s flawless relief, showcasing the bullpen’s effectiveness. On the Yankees’ side, Aaron Judge hit his 28th home run of the season, a 398-foot blast to the upper deck in left field, while Cody Bellinger amassed three hits, including two doubles.
Seattle Mariners Dominate Minnesota with Powerful Offense
Elsewhere in Major League Baseball, the Seattle Mariners overwhelmed the Minnesota Twins 11-2 in Minneapolis. Cal Raleigh extended his lead in the home run race with his 32nd homer, while Julio Rodriguez fueled the Mariners’ offense with a double and a home run, driving in four runs. Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone also added home runs for Seattle.
Right-hander Bryan Woo (7-4) delivered six strong innings, allowing only two runs on six hits, while striking out nine. The Twins’ offense was limited, although Carlos Correa and Trevor Larnach each hit solo home runs. Minnesota starter Bailey Ober (4-5) struggled, giving up seven runs on seven hits in seven innings as the Twins suffered their 10th loss in 11 games.
Baltimore Orioles Shut Out Texas Rangers Behind Rogers and Holliday
The Baltimore Orioles secured a 6-0 victory against the Texas Rangers with an impressive pitching and hitting display. Trevor Rogers, in just his third major league start of the season, dominated over eight shutout innings, allowing only three singles and striking out four without issuing a walk. Jackson Holliday powered the offense with a three-run home run and a double, contributing significantly to Baltimore’s win.
The Rangers struggled offensively, managing only one plate appearance with a runner in scoring position and stranding three runners. Starter Patrick Corbin (4-7) conceded five runs and nine hits in just over five innings, though he struck out six without walking any batters.
Diamondbacks Overpower White Sox with Strong Batting and Pitching
Arizona’s Diamondbacks defeated Chicago’s White Sox 10-0, propelled by Pavin Smith’s two home runs and four RBIs, as well as Ketel Marte’s home run and three hits. Eduardo Rodriguez pitched six shutout innings, allowing only five hits and striking out ten, leading Arizona’s fourth win in five games.
The White Sox offense was held to just five hits by Rodriguez, who has now won all five of his career starts at Rate Field. Chicago, meanwhile, has dropped 10 of their last 12 games.
Braves Edge Mets in a Close Contest Fueled by Key Plays
The Atlanta Braves eked out a 3-2 win over the New York Mets in the first game of their four-match series. Starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach earned the victory by pitching seven strong innings, allowing just two runs on four hits while walking one and striking out four.
Offensively, Michael Harris II’s sacrifice fly in the second inning set the tone, followed by a home run from Ronald Acuna Jr. and another sacrifice fly from Sean Murphy in the third inning. The Mets’ Juan Soto hit a two-run homer in the sixth but failed to capitalise with runners on base later, as New York dropped their ninth game in ten.
Cardinals Power Past Cubs with Multiple Home Runs
St. Louis Cardinals crushed the Chicago Cubs 8-2, powered by clutch home runs from Lars Nootbaar, Brendan Donovan, Alec Burleson, and Nolan Gorman. Willson Contreras contributed two doubles in a productive three-hit night. The Cardinals recorded their sixth win in seven games, closing the gap to 3 1/2 games behind the division-leading Cubs.
Matt Liberatore (5-6) was solid on the mound, allowing two runs across seven innings. For the Cubs, Ben Brown (4-6) suffered a tough outing, surrendering eight runs on nine hits in just over five innings while Chicago lost for the fourth time in five games.
Pirates Hold Off Brewers in a Tight Opening Game
Visiting Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 in the opener of a three-game series. Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s sixth-inning triple drove in the go-ahead run, while Nick Gonzales had an exceptional performance with five hits, including two doubles and three singles, driving in two runs. Tommy Pham also contributed with his first home run of the season.
The Brewers had momentarily tied the game at four with Christian Yelich’s 15th home run, a two-run shot, snapping Milwaukee’s four-game winning streak in the process. Despite the loss, the Pirates captured back-to-back victories for the first time since early June.
Implications and Looking Ahead
Elly De La Cruz’s remarkable performance highlights his growing impact for the Cincinnati Reds, energizing the team early in their series against the Yankees. His ability to deliver clutch hits, including the homer and triple, underscores his value and potential as a rising star. The Reds’ decisive win sets a competitive momentum as the three-game set continues.
Across the league, strong pitching and timely hitting defined many of Monday’s games, illustrating the intensity of this season’s playoff race. Teams like the Cardinals and Mariners showcased their power, while struggling squads like the Twins and White Sox face continued challenges. As the season progresses, sustained performances will be crucial for teams vying for postseason berths.