CINCINNATI — Elly De La Cruz delivered his first career walk-off hit in the 10th inning, capping a dramatic rally after Dane Myers tied the game with a pinch-hit home run in the ninth to lift the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night, splitting their doubleheader.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- Betting Futures: The Reds snapped a three-game skid, proving resilient under pressure as they head into Tuesday’s matchup featuring Andrew Abbott against Kyle Leahy.
Late-Inning Heroics Salvage Twin-Bill Split
Baseball rarely lacks theatre, and Monday’s nightcap at the ballpark delivered high-stakes drama from the first pitch to the final out. Trailing 4-1 heading into the late frames, the Reds faced an uphill battle against a disciplined Cardinals squad that had already secured a 2-1 victory in the opener. But the tape tells a different story about resilience. Down to their final out in the ninth inning, Cincinnati called on Dane Myers off the bench. Myers answered the bell by launching his fifth home run of the season into the left-center seats, evening the score at 5-5.
That momentum carried straight into the 10th frame. With automatic runner Tyler Stephenson parked at second base, Elly De La Cruz stepped into the box. De La Cruz grounded a single into left field. The ball deflected off third baseman Blaze Jordan’s glove, allowing Stephenson to race home safely with the game-winning run. It marked a milestone moment, etching his first career walk-off knock into the record books and halting Cincinnati’s three-game slide.
Rookies and Depth Pieces Fuel the Comeback
Before the late-inning fireworks, St. Louis had controlled the tempo. Iván Herrera staked the Cardinals to an early punch with his 14th home run of the year in the fourth, followed by a Masyn Winn RBI single. Nathan Church and Blaze Jordan padded the lead further in the sixth, pushing the advantage to 4-1 and putting the Reds on the ropes.
In the pivotal sixth-inning response, Michael Toglia doubled home JJ Bleday to log his first RBI in a Reds uniform. Moments later, rookie Héctor Rodríguez sliced a single to center field, plating Eugenio Suárez and Toglia to level the count at 4-4. That clutch swing delivered Rodríguez—Cincinnati’s No. 4 prospect—his first two major league RBIs, showcasing the offensive upside bubbling up through the farm system.
| Team | Final Score | Key Contributors | Winning/Losing Pitcher |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals | 5 | Iván Herrera (HR, 14), Masyn Winn (RBI) | Justin Bruihl (Loss, 0-1) |
| Cincinnati Reds | 6 (10 Innings) | Elly De La Cruz (Walk-off RBI), Dane Myers (HR, 5) | Emilio Pagán (Win, 5-1) |
Pitching Resilience and Looking Ahead
On the mound, Reds starter Rhett Lowder delivered a gutsy performance, matching a career high with 6 2/3 innings of work. He scattered eight hits and allowed four runs while striking out five batters, keeping his club within striking distance before turning things over to the bullpen. Emilio Pagán ultimately slammed the door in the 10th, neutralizing the Cardinals’ bats to pave the way for the walk-off celebration.
With the doubleheader split now in the rearview mirror, both managers turn their attention toward the rubber match. The series continues as St. Louis right-hander Kyle Leahy (9-4, 3.38 ERA) toes the rubber against Cincinnati left-hander Andrew Abbott (6-7, 4.13 ERA).
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
