Elly De La Cruz had a standout performance, going 4 for 4 with a career-best four stolen bases and scoring three times in the Cincinnati Reds’ 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night.
Nick Martinez (1-2) earned the win in relief, allowing just one hit over five shutout innings and striking out four as the Reds used seven pitchers in a bullpen game.
Cincinnati ended the Dodgers’ streak of 22 consecutive games allowing four runs or fewer. Los Angeles suffered consecutive losses for the first time since April 19-20 and has lost four of their last seven games.
Shohei Ohtani went 0 for 2 with a walk and a strikeout on his first bobble head night of the season. Fans caused traffic congestion and waited in long lines to get the giveaway depicting the Japanese superstar. Only 40,000 fans received a bobblehead out of the sellout crowd of 53,527 — the largest in the majors this season and at Dodger Stadium since Sept. 20, 2019.
“Just a very nice setting to have a lot of fans in the stands,” Ohtani said through a translator. “I’m very appreciative that they all came tonight.”
De La Cruz tied his career high for hits and reached base five times with three singles, a double, and a walk. His four steals were the most by a player against the Dodgers since Philadelphia’s Jayson Werth accomplished that feat on May 12, 2009.
“I like playing here. I feel comfortable because this is my city,” De La Cruz said, chuckling.
The speedy De La Cruz was finally caught out by catcher Austin Barnes at second base on a delayed steal attempt that ended the seventh inning. The 22-year-old shortstop has stolen 30 bases this season. Conner Capel had the Reds’ other stolen base in the game.
“Every time he takes the field, an at-bat, on the basepaths, I feel like we’re witnessing something special,” Martinez said of De La Cruz. “His strength plays in every aspect of the game.”
De La Cruz only exchanged greetings with Ohtani, who was impressed by the young player. “He’s a really good player,” Ohtani said. “And very impressive performance.”
Will Benson hit a leadoff homer against Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow (6-2). Tyler Stephenson drove in two runs, including a two-out RBI single in the third that made it 3-0. The Reds added three more runs in the ninth inning for a 7-0 lead.
The Dodgers managed just two hits until the ninth inning, when Andy Pages singled while pinch-hitting for Ohtani. They loaded the bases and scored two runs on Gavin Lux’s bases-loaded single.
