In a game that gave Cincinnati fans a reason to celebrate, the Reds defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6‑2 on Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park. Elly De La Cruz delivered a two‑run homer that put Cincinnati ahead and helped delay the Dodgers’ bid for a fifth straight NL West crown.
Key moments
Los Angeles entered the game needing a win—or a loss by the San Diego Padres—to lock up the division title. The Dodgers (92‑60) were hoping to finish the season on a high note, but left‑hander Blake Snell exited after just one inning due to left groin tightness. Snell, who previously threw a no‑hitter for the Giants at the same venue, faced three batters, allowing a hit before departing on 19 pitches.
Blake Treinen took over in the second inning as the first of six relievers used by the Dodgers. The Dodgers struck first when Mookie Betts singled off Andrew Abbott in the third and scored on Will Smith’s double, giving Los Angeles a 1‑0 lead.
Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott settled in, allowing a run on three hits and five walks over 4 2/3 innings. The Reds answered in the third when De La Cruz launched a homer off Seth Halvorsen (1‑2), his 28th of the season, to put Cincinnati ahead 2‑1. It was De La Cruz’s fifth longball against the Dodgers this year, the most by any opponent.
In the fifth inning, Dane Myers added a two‑run homer off Bobby Miller, extending the Reds’ lead to 3‑1. Juan Brito’s RBI single made it 4‑2 in the sixth, and TJ Friedl’s bases‑loaded single in the seventh drove in two more runs. A defensive highlight came when Dodgers center fielder Tommy Edman threw out Sal Stewart at the plate to end the inning.
Dodgers’ struggles
Los Angeles stranded 12 runners and went 0‑for‑11 with runners in scoring position, a sign that the Dodgers’ offense was stymied by Cincinnati’s pitching staff. The Dodgers have not yet announced their starter for the series finale.
Up next, the Reds will send right‑hander Brady Singer (6‑14, 5.38 ERA) to the mound for Thursday’s series finale. The outcome will determine whether the Dodgers can still clinch the division in their final games.
What this means for the NL West race
The loss keeps the Dodgers from securing the NL West title early, meaning the division race will remain open through the final weekend of the regular season. The Padres, who play in Colorado later Wednesday, still have a chance to influence the standings.
For Cincinnati, the win adds momentum as the team looks to finish the season strong and compete for a postseason berth. Fans left the park energized by De La Cruz’s performance and the team’s collective effort.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
