Elly and the Reds blast past Rays in 12-6 drubbing

TL;DR

The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 12-6, hitting five home runs in the game. Elly De La Cruz shone with two homers and five RBIs, while Chase Burns led the pitching with a strong performance.

Key points

Cincinnati Reds won 12-6 against Tampa Bay Rays
Elly De La Cruz hit two home runs and had five RBIs
Reds clinched series win and are 16-8 this season

Cincinnati RedsTampa Bay RaysElly De La CruzKyle Nicolas

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 20: Elly de la Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits an RBI single in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 20, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cincinnati Reds mashed their way past the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night at the Trop, hitting five home runs along the way. At one point, they held a 12-2 lead – that came as they entered the Bottom of the 9th inning – before things went a little sideways for reliever Kyle Nicolas as he tried to finish off the win (1.0 IP, H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 2 K on 42 pitches). Let’s focus on the positives here, though, as there were many. For one, we watched as Elly De La Cruz destroyed a pair of homers as part of a larger 3 for 6, 3 R, 5 RBI game that featured a pair of homers – both from the right side of the plate. His second homer of the night *did* come against Rays position player Ben Williamson pitching in a mop-up role, but Elly opted to hit righty off the righty Williamson and still managed to sock a homer. That’s good enough stuff to take home tonight’s **Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game**. Homers also came off the bats of and , theirs coming back to back off Rays starter in the Top of the 2nd. Hayes finished with a 1 for 3 night that included a pair of walks and a pair of runs scored in easily his best offensive outing of the season. also homered (and walked twice), while merely chipped in with a 2 for 4 night that included a trio of ribbies and another stolen base. Despite the struggles from Nicolas late, (5.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 8 K on 97 pitches) was dominant for most all of his outing to lead the pitching line. He entered the Bottom of the 6th having allowed nary a run before a 2-run blast in an already-decided game ended up sending him to the showers. He pummeled the zone throughout the early goings of this one and once again looked every bit the part of a legitimate ace in the making. The win clinches the series win for the Reds and marks their 5th straight win on this road trip. They also now sit 16-8 on the season and have opened up a 2-game lead on the rest of the National League Central Division. Go Reds!

Q&A

What were Elly De La Cruz's stats in the game against the Rays?

Elly De La Cruz went 3 for 6 with 3 runs and 5 RBIs, including two home runs.

How did the Reds perform against the Rays on April 20, 2026?

The Reds won 12-6, hitting five home runs and clinching the series win against the Rays.

What is the current standing of the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central?

The Reds are 16-8 on the season and hold a 2-game lead in the National League Central Division.

Elly and the Reds blast past Rays in 12-6 drubbing

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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