Elly De La Cruz makes Reds history with huge game vs. Pirates

The Cincinnati Reds managed to eke out a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, and it was shortstop Elly De La Cruz who starred for the team, as per usual. De La Cruz went 3-4 from the plate with one walk and one RBI, and as the cherry on top of what was already a brilliant game from one of the most exciting players in MLB, he scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth after leading off the inning with a double.

In fact, that double in the ninth inning was only one of three extra-base hits the Reds shortstop had on the night. He doubled during the third inning to drive in Matt McLain, and he ended up scoring on the very next at-bat off of a hit from Sal Stewart. And then in the bottom of the fifth, he led off with another two-bagger, and for good measure, he even stole third base (although he did fail to score).

In so doing, De La Cruz became the first player in Reds franchise history to record at least three extra-base hits and multiple stolen bases in a single game since 1898, as per Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

Elly De La Cruz is the first Reds player with 3+ extra-base hits & multiple SB in a game since the modern SB rule was adopted (1898)

He’s the 2nd MLB player to do it in the last week, joining 7/26 Ryan Kreidler

Before Sunday, it hadn’t happened since Shohei’s 50-50 game 9/19/24 https://t.co/pQEWJou7Zu

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 31, 2026

The Reds shortstop, Langs added, was the second player in MLB to pull off the feat this week (with Minnesota Twins shortstop Ryan Kreidler being the other).

De La Cruz’s first plate appearance was a good omen of his performance on the night. He drew a walk and he stole second base. He was a thorn in the Pirates’ side all game long, and it was only fitting that it was him who crossed the plate to lead the Reds to victory.

His performance is a bright spot for a Reds team that is falling off the postseason race. Even after their win over the Pirates, they remain six games below .500 at 51-57, which puts them at 5.5 games back of an NL Wild Card spot with five teams ahead of them.

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