Full Breakdown
Elly De La Cruz Powers Reds to 7-2 Victory Over Rockies, Joins Reds History
4/29/2026, 8:07:21 AM
Reds Defeat Rockies 7-2 on De La Cruz’s Offensive and Defensive Surge
The Cincinnati Reds beat the Colorado Rockies by a score of 7-2 at Great American Ball Park. Elly De La Cruz went 3-for-4 at the plate, drove in four runs and added a highlight-reel defensive play. Spencer Steer contributed a two-run homer, while right-hander Chase Burns limited Colorado to two runs over six innings. The win marked the Reds’ eighth victory in ten games.
Background: Early-Season Surge and Historical Milestone
Entering the game, De La Cruz held a .274/.349/.558 line with nine home runs, five doubles and 126 plate appearances. His eighth-inning two-run shot was his 10th of the season, tying three other switch-hitters for the most homers before May since 1900. The achievement placed him alongside Hall of Famer Tony Perez, the only other Reds player to reach ten homers before May (1970). Perez’s 1970 campaign featured a .317/.401/.589 line, 40 homers and 28 doubles, leading Cincinnati to the NL pennant.
Key Performers and Game Statistics
- Elly De La Cruz: 3-for-4, four RBIs, two-run homer (8th inning), 10 homers before May.
- Spencer Steer: Two-run homer (first inning), his fifth of the year.
- Chase Burns: Six innings, two runs allowed, nine strikeouts, one walk, 81 pitches.
- Edouard Julien (Rockies): 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two RBIs.
- Kyle Freeland (Rockies starter): Four runs on five hits in five innings, struck out four, walked one; first start after returning from the injured list.
Colorado managed only one run after the first inning and went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Defensive Highlights
In the third inning, Colorado’s Kyle Karros hit a grounder over third-baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. De La Cruz backed up the play, fielded the ball and threw across his body to retire Karros at first by a half-step. Later, in the seventh inning, De La Cruz initiated a double play that ended the inning, preserving the lead. These plays were cited as pivotal in maintaining the Reds’ advantage.
Season Implications and Standings
The victory extended Cincinnati’s recent run to eight wins in ten games and gave the club a two-game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. The Reds are seeking to build on their 2025 playoff appearance and hope to emulate Hall of Famer Tony Perez’s 1970 production, with De La Cruz’s early-season power surge providing a key component.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the game’s date: Reuters lists April 29, 2026, while Deadspin reports April 28, 2026. No official statements from team management or the league appear in the available material.
What’s Next for the Reds
The Reds will seek to protect their two-game NL Central lead and see whether De La Cruz can sustain his historic power pace as the season moves forward.
