A hot debut season for Red ones Star Elly De La Cruz continued in a big way on Friday as the 21-year-old made history just over two weeks into her career.
De La Cruz put together another outstanding performance in the Reds’ 11-10 victory over the Braves by hitting for the cycle, remarkably achieving the feat in the sixth inning in his 15th major league game. league.
The rookie slugger reached the mark after he doubled to center field in the second inning, blasted a 368-foot home run in the third, singled to center in the fifth and, finally, smacked a sixth-inning triple to in the right center driving. in one run.
De La Cruz’s big night etched his name in the Cincinnati record books as he became the seventh Red to hit for the cycle and the first to do so since All-Star Eric Davis in 1989. He was also the youngest player at 51 years–Astros star César Cedeño in 1972–to hit for the cycle, per ESPN.
In addition, De La Cruz became thefirst player in the World Series Era (since 1903) to record 20 hits, five stolen bases and 3 homers in his first 15 career games, setting a mark not seen in the majors in over a century. On the season, he logged 23 hits and three HRs in 61 at-bats along with seven stolen bases.
116.6 mph off the bat! 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/1BcAIzAHON
– Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 23, 2023
ELLY DE LA CRUZ THAT’S ALL pic.twitter.com/JYXLDvJw06
– Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 23, 2023
ELLY DE LA CRUZ COMPLETE THE CYCLE 🔥
(through @ Reds)pic.twitter.com/B5WEzyFCpn
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 24, 2023
Since he joined Cincinnati’s lineup on June 6, De La Cruz has quickly become a fan favorite, with games like Friday’s outing adding to the young star’s strong start.
With the Reds (41-35) in the midst of a 12-game winning streak, De La Cruz is considered a driving force for the resurgent club as “Elly-Mania” continues to run.
