BASEBALL: Elly De La Cruz drives in winner as Reds complete sweep of Rangers

Elly De La Cruz singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as the visiting Cincinnati Reds defeated the Texas Rangers 2-1 on Sunday, completing a three-game series sweep.

De La Cruz contributed two hits and scored a run, while Will Benson added two hits for Cincinnati.

For Texas, Joc Pederson hit a solo home run. The Rangers scored just four runs across the series and have now lost four consecutive games.

Reliever Sam Moll (1-0) earned the win, while Brock Burke recorded his first career save by striking out the side in the ninth inning. Robert Garcia (0-1) took the loss in relief.

Cincinnati’s go-ahead rally began when Matt McLain led off the eighth against Garcia with a walk, stole second, and scored on De La Cruz’s single to right field. De La Cruz then stole second, Eugenio Suarez walked, and Spencer Steer singled off Chris Martin to load the bases, though Tyler Stephenson hit into a double play to end the threat.

Texas threatened in the bottom of the eighth with runners on first and third and two outs, but Connor Phillips retired Evan Carter on a line drive to center field.

The starting pitchers dueled early, with Chase Burns of the Reds taking a shutout into the seventh inning before surrendering Pederson’s homer. Burns went six-plus innings, allowing five hits while striking out nine and walking one. Mark Leiter of the Rangers allowed a run on four hits over five innings, striking out nine and walking one.

The Reds opened the scoring in the fourth inning. De La Cruz singled and advanced to second on a deep fly to right field. Suarez, falling behind 0-2, fought back and grounded a 2-2 pitch to center to bring home De La Cruz.

Pederson, who was hitless in his first 16 at-bats this season, led off the seventh with a homer to tie the game on a 2-1 fastball. The Rangers had not scored since the seventh inning of Friday night’s game.

After Carter was initially called out at first, Texas successfully challenged the call. Following a pitching change, Carter stole second and advanced to third on a fly out. Josh Smith walked and stole second, but the Reds’ bullpen held firm as Johnson struck out pinch-hitter Andrew McCutchen and Moll struck out Brandon Nimmo to end the inning.

With this win, the Reds sweep the Rangers and strengthen their momentum as they look ahead in the season.

—Field Level Media/Reuters