Cincinnati After four games, the Reds’ offensive finally achieved its full potential thanks to the combined efforts of their big engine (Elly De La Cruz) and tiny engine (Matt McLain).
In Monday night’s 14-3 thumping of the Rangers at Great American Ball Park, McLain launched his third home run in as many games, while De La Cruz connected for his first two home runs of the season, his first steal, and a career-high seven RBIs.
Cincinnati lost its season-opening series against the Giants, scoring more runs in a single night than it did in the first three games.
Somewhat overshadowed was a brilliant debut for starting pitcher Brady Singer, who gave up one hit over seven scoreless innings, with eight strikeouts and two walks.
The first four Reds to bat in the first inning collected hits against Rangers starter Kumar Rocker. The second batter, McLain, hit his third homer in as many games with a two-run drive to left-center field to give the Reds a quick 2-0 lead. De La Cruz followed with a single, stole second base and took third on catcher Jonah Heim’s throwing error.
Gavin Lux’s RBI double to right-center field extended Cincinnati’s lead to 3-0.
The offense kept up in the second inning. With two on and two out, De La Cruz attacked a first pitch from Rocker for a three-run homer to center field — his first of the season — to push the lead to 6-0. Cincinnati added six more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, including a two-run double to left field by De La Cruz.
Needing a triple to complete the second cycle of his career in the seventh, De La Cruz instead tattooed his second homer of the night — a two-run drive to center field that traveled a Statcast-projected 436 feet.
