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04/23 21:31 CDT De La Cruz powers Reds to 8-1 win to end Phillies' 7-game streak
De La Cruz powers Reds to 8-1 win to end Phillies' 7-game streak
By JEFF WALLNER
Associated Press
CINCINNATI (AP) --- Elly De La Cruz hit a two-run home run, Christian
Encarnacion-Strand went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and the Cincinnati Reds ended the
Philadelphia Phillies' seven-game win streak with an 8-1 victory on Tuesday
night.
Cincinnati's Santiago Espinal also had three hits including a solo homer in the
eighth inning, his first since July 29. Fernando Cruz (1-1) pitched 2/3 of an
inning in relief.
The Phillies' seven-game streak was the franchise's fourth-longest in April.
They haven't won eight straight games in April since 1953. The Phillies played
without Bryce Harper, who's expected to return from the paternity list on
Thursday.
"We were due for one of those," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said of Tuesday's
performance. "There were some things that were unfortunate. We're going to move
on."
J.T. Realmuto and Alec Bohm hit back-to-back doubles in the first for the
Phillies' run. Philadelphia's five hits matched a season low.
Encarnacion-Strand's RBI double tied the score in the bottom half.
Phillies' starters have been on a roll, but Christopher Snchez (1-3) lasted
only three innings on Tuesday, allowing five runs, one earned. The Phillies'
defense made three errors.
"We certainly didn't help him on defense," Thomson said. "But I thought 79
pitches in three innings, that's a lot. I didn't think he was quite as crisp as
normal."
Snchez struck out eight and allowed two runs in five innings when he faced the
Reds on April 1. Reds batters made things more difficult on Tuesday.
"I missed a lot of pitches today," Snchez said. "I'm not going to bring up
excuses. I threw a lot of pitches and that's why he took me out."
Phillies center fielder Johan Rojas made a leaping catch of Spencer Steer's
drive up against the wall in the fourth. Rojas was evaluated by training staff
but remained in the game.
"Just banged his hip on the post out there," Thomson said. "The post is padded,
but he hit it pretty hard. He should be fine for tomorrow."
The Phillies got two hits through 4 1/3 innings against Andrew Abbott, who was
facing them for the second time this month. They had the bases loaded with
nobody out in the fifth but couldn't score as Abbott and Cruz combined to end
the threat.
De La Cruz's seventh home run of the season to deep left-center field in the
fifth extended Cincinnati's lead to 7-1, equaling the total runs allowed by the
Phillies in their previous four games. De La Cruz stole his 12th base, tied for
the league lead.
He also made a sliding catch of Rojas' pop fly in short left in the seventh and
started an inning-ending double play in the sixth.
"It is amazing what Elly did when you stop and think about it," Reds manager
David Bell said. "He wants to do everything he can to get his hands on the
ball. Maybe a more impressive play was the double play ball that he charged.
Defense is so important."
TRAINERS ROOM
Phillies: RHP Taijuan Walker (right shoulder soreness) threw a bullpen session
on Tuesday and is expected to make his season debut Sunday in San Diego.
Reds: LHP Sam Moll (left shoulder impingement) was reinstated from the 15-day
injured list on Tuesday and RHP Casey Legumina was optioned to Triple-A
Louisville. Moll pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
UP NEXT
Phillies right hander Spencer Turnbull (2-0, 1.23) beat the Reds on April 2.
Reds left hander Nick Lodolo (2-0, 0.75) is unbeaten in two starts since coming
off the IL.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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