Reds' historic start continues in series-clinching win over Rockies

De La Cruz was quiet at the plate with just one hit and two strikeouts in four at-bats. His diving grabs, though, have become commonplace for him amid a historic season that saw him join Hall of Famer Tony Perez (1970) as the only players in franchise history with at least 10 homers before May in Tuesday's series-opening win.

Nathaniel Lowe continued his torrid pace with his fifth homer in the last six games, a 399-foot blast to center field off former Red Michael Lorenzen to lead off the bottom of the second.

The bats were not finished there as outfielder TJ Friedl crushed a go-ahead two-run homer in the fifth to give the Reds a 3-2 lead.

The Reds added three more runs for good measure and took advantage of a much-needed solid outing from starting pitcher Andrew Abbott.

Coming into the game, Abbott had a brutal 6.54 ERA in his first six starts this season. He put that rough start behind him on Thursday, overcoming a two-run shot from first baseman Tyler Freeman in the first to go six innings strong with two runs allowed, five hits, five strikeouts and two walks.

The Reds even had some success on Thursday despite rookie Sal Stewart's rare off game. Stewart, who went hitless with one walk and one run, has been key to Cincinnati's success and is second only to Munetaka Murakami (12) for the home run lead among all rookies with nine.

Going forward, the most important thing for the Reds is getting healthy. Starting pitchers Nick Lodolo (left finger), Hunter Greene (right elbow) and Brandon Williamson (left shoulder), who was removed from Wednesday's start with left shoulder fatigue, are each on the injured list.

Third baseman Eugenio Suarez was also placed on IL with a left oblique injury, so it is clear that health is a top priority if the Reds want to build off their historic start to the season.

So far, that has not impacted their performance much at all due to the improved offense lately and some consistent pitching. Whether that continues remains to be seen, but it has Cincinnati in unfamiliar territory heading into May.