In a thrilling game on Tuesday night, newcomer Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds predicted Matt McLain’s heroics in the late innings. McLain’s single to deep center field highlighted a three-run comeback in the ninth inning as the Reds beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-8 to break a nine-game losing streak against the Dodgers.
Trailing 8-6 with one out in the bottom of the ninth, Cincinnati loaded the bases against reliever Caleb Ferguson. Ferguson walked Curt Casali, scoring Spencer Steer and cutting the deficit to a run. Jake Fraley was hit by a pitch, scoring T.J. Hopkins and tying the game at 8. Ferguson was then pulled for Shelby Miller, after which McLain singled over the head of Jason Heyward in center field to score Stuart Fairchild and win the game.
Following the game, De La Cruz embraced McLain, stating, “I told him, ‘I told you. Before he hit the walk-off, I said, “Hey, you’re going to hit a walk-off.” I said, “I told you, man.”‘”
McLain finished the game with three singles, and Eduardo Salazar earned the win for the Reds, striking out two in an inning of relief. The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts led off the game with a ground ball hit that De La Cruz missed, resulting in a base hit. Betts then scored two batters later on a double by Max Muncy.
Both teams scored three runs in the first inning as Cincinnati countered with back-to-back singles from Fraley and McLain. In his Major League debut, De La Cruz batted cleanup and finished with a hit, two walks, and a run scored in three at-bats. Despite the loss, the Dodgers are still 16-5 in their last 21 games against Cincinnati.
In other news, Dodgers’ Julio Urías is expected to start Sunday in Philadelphia after throwing two innings of live batting practice and two more innings in the bullpen. Urías has not pitched since being placed on the 10-day injured list on May 21. Meanwhile, the Reds placed Nick Senzel on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Sunday, due to right knee soreness.
The Dodgers and Reds will meet again on Wednesday night, with RHP Noah Syndergaard starting for Los Angeles and LHP Brandon Williamson taking the mound for Cincinnati.
