Elly De La Cruz smashes 467-foot HR, helps keep hopes alive

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Elly De La Cruz smashes 467-foot homer, helps keep Reds' playoff hopes alive

By Nicholas Nathanson | Last updated 9/26/23

A few months ago, Cincinnati Reds 21-year-old rookie Elly De La Cruz was the talk of baseball and must-watch television.

Over the last month and change, that has dwindled as Cruz has tremendously struggled. In fact, coming into Tuesday night's game against the Guardians, Cruz had belted just two home runs since Aug. 13.

Tuesday night, he needed five at-bats to match that total, providing the Reds with much-needed firepower in a game they had to win to keep playoff hopes alive.

This was De La Cruz's first HR since Aug. 23. It went far. Reds down, 6-5, as this game could be turning into a goat rodeo. pic.twitter.com/j1jLtmN3zF
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) September 26, 2023

His second home run was noteworthy, as it was clobbered 467 feet and put the final touch on a big win against the Guardians.

De La Cruz with his first 2-homer game. This one went and estimated 467 feet! Reds have an 11-7 heading into the bottom of the 9th. pic.twitter.com/pAvX1A3vAQ
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) September 27, 2023

The Reds are still a game-and-a-half out from the third NL wild-card seed, but if Cruz plays anything like he did Tuesday night the rest of the way, anything is possible for Cincinnati.

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