Elly De La Cruz, the Cincinnati Reds’ shortstop, struggled at the plate throughout April. However, on his bobblehead giveaway night, he made a major breakthrough. Facing Pittsburgh Pirates’ left-hander Andrew Heaney in the third inning, De La Cruz hit a towering fly ball for his second career grand slam, leading the Reds to a 5-2 victory. Fans flocked early to secure an Elly De La Cruz switch-hitter bobblehead and were thrilled with his performance.
After the game, De La Cruz expressed gratitude to the fans, calling the atmosphere “crazy” and “electric.” Despite his struggles earlier in the month, the grand slam was a positive sign for De La Cruz, who emphasized feeling comfortable from both sides of the plate. Manager Terry Francona praised De La Cruz’s game-changing hit, recognizing his impact on the team.
At 23 years and 91 days old, De La Cruz became the youngest Reds player to hit a grand slam at Great American Ball Park. His teammate Andrew Abbott highlighted De La Cruz’s ability as a “difference maker” on the team. De La Cruz’s patience at the plate paid off as he worked a 3-2 count before delivering the decisive blow.
Despite a slow start to the season, De La Cruz has been a key contributor to the Reds’ offense, showcasing his ability to drive in runs. Francona remains confident in De La Cruz’s abilities, noting that players can quickly turn things around in baseball.
