Elly De La Cruz has Cincinnati going wild after clutch 10th-Inning heroics originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Elly De La Cruz added another memorable moment to his growing highlight reel Monday night, delivering the first walk-off hit of his career as the Cincinnati Reds rallied for a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in 10 innings.
De La Cruz ripped the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th, scoring Tyler Stephenson and allowing Cincinnati to salvage a split of Monday’s doubleheader. The 110.9 mph shot capped a comeback after the Reds trailed 4-1 earlier in the game.
The dramatic finish came one inning after Dane Myers kept Cincinnati alive.
With two outs in the ninth and the Reds trailing 5-4, Myers came off the bench and delivered a pinch-hit solo home run to tie the game and force extra innings.
Then De La Cruz took over.
The 24-year-old went 2-for-4 in the nightcap after entering the game in a difficult 5-for-44 stretch. His final hit provided Cincinnati with exactly the type of moment it needed after dropping the opening game of the doubleheader.
Elly De La Cruz finishes the Cardinals
Despite his recent slump, De La Cruz continues to put together another productive season.
Following Monday’s performance, the Reds star is batting .261 with 20 home runs, 57 RBIs and an .819 OPS in 2026. Those numbers once again illustrate the combination of power and production that has made De La Cruz one of Cincinnati’s most important players.
The Reds had to fight throughout the night to put him in position to deliver.
After St. Louis built an early advantage, Cincinnati battled back in the sixth behind run-producing hits from Michael Toglia and Héctor Rodríguez to pull even at 4-4. The Cardinals reclaimed the lead before Myers’ ninth-inning homer changed the game again.
De La Cruz then provided the finishing touch in the 10th.
For a player already known for home runs, speed and highlight-reel plays, Monday gave De La Cruz something he had never experienced in the majors.
A walk-off winner.
And after a frustrating day for Cincinnati, De La Cruz made sure the Reds ended it celebrating.
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