Cincinnati Game Recap
Just a few hours before the game began, Alan Winans strolled onto the empty field at Great American Ballpark, grabbing his phone to snap some pictures of the atmosphere.
He then made his way to the mound to get a feel for his pitching environment ahead of Monday night’s matchup.
If Winans had imagined how his start would go, he might have pictured it much like the first three innings actually unfolded.
But then, Ellie de la Cruz changed everything.
The Yankees struggled significantly with their batting, especially with runners in scoring position, which contributed to a disappointing 6-1 defeat in a rather leisurely-paced game.
Despite the Yankees (45-33) having decent opportunities to support Winans, they ended up 12 for 12 with runners in scoring positions, failing to capitalize and making their series opener a tough loss.
De La Cruz, on the other hand, had an impressive night. He nearly completed the cycle and was pivotal in four of the Reds’ six runs. His combination of speed and power was evident as he delivered an RBI triple.
After Winans exited the game, De La Cruz added an RBI single off Ian Hamilton, extending the score to 4-1.
In the eighth inning, he further pushed the Reds (41-38) ahead with another hit, making the score 5-1.
The Yankee’s only score of the night was a solo home run from Aaron Judge, his 28th of the season, which came early in the game against lefty Nick Rodro. Although the Yankees put some pressure on Rodro initially, they couldn’t find their rhythm against him or the Reds’ bullpen for the remainder of the game.
In the second inning, the Yankees had a chance but left a runner stranded at third with one out. Similarly, Cody Bellinger started the third inning with a double but couldn’t advance. In the fifth, with runners on first and second, they left empty-handed again.
The most frustrating moment for the Yankees might have been in the eighth inning, where they had runners on first and second but couldn’t capitalize as Giancarlo Stanton and Jazz Chisholm Jr. couldn’t convert, and Anthony Volpe’s attempt ended the threat.
For Winans, who allowed fewer runs in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre over 50 innings than he did in this game, it was a mixed bag. He started strong, navigating the first three innings on just 24 pitches.
But then he let a sinker slip to Matt McClain in the fourth, setting up De La Cruz for his impactful performance.
The only run for the Reds not involving De La Cruz was a solo home run from Gavin Lux, while Jose Trevino hit an eighth-inning single to advance Spencer Steer.
