Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz’s name has been on everyone’s lips in Major League Baseball for the past month. He was dominant again in his team’s 8-4 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday afternoon at Nationals Park.
The Dominican became the first player under 21 to record two games with four goals after 25 games in the majors. The last to achieve this feat was Luis Rivas with the Minnesota Twins in the 2000 season.
On July 4th, the United States National Day, De La Cruz became the first player under the age of 21 to have a four-goal performance that July 4th since Bobby Doerr with the Boston Red Sox. in 1939.
The 21-year-old also scored his team’s second point during the game. He hit a double to left field that allowed Jonathan India to cross the plate.
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The two-handed hitter wasn’t the only one who put in an excellent performance during the confrontation.
Cincinnati first baseman Spencer Steer made four saves in as many plate appearances.
As if that wasn’t enough, Jonathan India and Nick Senzel also got involved in the duel for the Ohio squad. Both had an impressive three RBIs overall.
Thanks to that triumph, David Bell’s men have just reclaimed the top spot in the Central Section of the National League.
As for the Nationals, their season of misery continued Tuesday afternoon, conceding their 51st loss since the start of the season.
Another convincing win for the Twins
The Minnesota Twins defeated the Kansas City Royals again, this time 9-3 at Target Field in Minneapolis on Tuesday.
Max Kepler, Donovan Solano and Byron Buxton added their names to the scorers’ list when they each scored a goal in the duel.
After hitting his seventh long ball of the season the previous day, Quebec’s Édouard Julien did not start with Rocco Baldelli on Tuesday afternoon.
Experienced Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke’s problems continued again. The 39-year-old Gunner recorded his ninth loss of the season.