Elly De La Cruz put on a variety show on Friday night that included stealing three bases and hitting a 3-run home run behind an outstanding start from Nick Lodolo. It took a big 8th inning to put the game away for Cincinnati, but they got it as the Reds defeated the Los Angeles Angels 7-1 to open up the series.
Final | R | H | E |
---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles Angels (9-11) |
1 | 7 | 1 |
Cincinnati Reds (10-9) |
7 | 5 | 1 |
W: Lodolo (2-0) L: Anderson (2-2) | |||
Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread |
Elly De La Cruz got things going for the Reds in the bottom of the 2nd with a 2-out single. He followed up by stealing second base. Then he took third base and on the play the catcher threw the ball into left field and De La Cruz waltzed home to put Cincinnati up 1-0.
That’s where the score remained until the 5th inning when the Angels finally broke through against Nick Lodolo. Luis Rengifo picked up a 2-out single, then stole second base, and came around to score when Jo Adell picked up his second hit of the game. The game remained tied until the bottom of the 6th when Tyler Stephenson took Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson deep…. like real deep. Stephenson’s 433-foot homer landed halfway up the second deck.
Cincinnati would run into trouble in the top of the 7th when the Angels got a single from Brandon Drury and then Luis Rengifo doubled to put two men on with one out. That had manager David Bell head to the mound to bring in Fernando Cruz to relieve Lodolo. That move worked out as Cruz came into the game and struck out both batters he faced in the inning to get out of the jam.
The Reds would put together a rally in the bottom of the 8th inning. Adam Cimber came on to relieve Tyler Anderson and struggled out of the gate as he walked Jonathan India before Spencer Steer followed up with a single. Stuart Fairchild then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move up both runners. The struggles for Cimber continued as he walked Tyler Stephenson to load the bases then hit Nick Martini to bring a run in. That ended his night, but Cincinnati kept on going as a wild pitch from new reliever Jose Cisnero brought in a run. Two pitches later Elly De La Cruz capped off the inning with a 3-run homer to extend the lead to 7-1.
Buck Farmer headed to the mound for the top of the 9th inning. He made quick work of the Angels, retiring the side in order on 11 pitches to seal the win.
Key Moment of the Game
The Angels bringing Adam Cimber into the game in the 8th inning. Cincinnati took full advantage of his struggles and put together a 5-run inning that put the game out of reach.
Notes Worth Noting
Nick Lodolo picked up six strikeouts in 6.1 innings of 1-run baseball. Through his two starts he’s now struck out 16 batters with just one walk.
Elly De La Cruz had another multi-hit game and is now hitting .290/.364/.638 with 10 stolen bases in 19 games.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Los Angeles Angels vs Cincinnati Reds
Saturday April 20th, 6:40pm ET
Patrick Sandoval (1-2, 4.67 ERA) vs Graham Ashcraft (2-1, 4.15 ERA)
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