The Cincinnati Reds’ rookie sensation Elly De La Cruz added another highlight to his electric season on Saturday, when he stole second, third and home in the same inning against the Milwaukee Brewers.
De La Cruz, who hit for the cycle earlier this week, broke a 5-5 tie in the seventh inning with an RBI single to left field, scoring TJ Friedl. He then proceeded to swipe three consecutive bases in the span of two pitches from reliever Elvis Peguero, catching the Brewers off guard and giving the Reds a 7-5 lead.
It was only the second time in the expansion era (since 1961) that a player stole three bases in a single plate appearance, joining Rod Carew in 1969. De La Cruz also became the first Reds player to steal home since Billy Hamilton in 2018.
The Reds went on to win the game 8-5, extending their lead over the Brewers in the NL Central to two games. De La Cruz finished the game 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
The 23-year-old phenom, who was ranked as a top-five prospect by MLB.com before the season, is hitting .325/.365/.539 with six homers, 21 RBIs and nine steals in 29 games since making his debut on June 10. He is making a strong case for the NL Rookie of the Year award, along with Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll.
