Always a threat with his speed and a distraction for pitchers, the young Dominican did something on Sunday that few can do. During the game against the Brewers at American Family Field, De la Cruz scored from second base after a bad throw by the pitcher when he tried to surprise him.
In the top of the third inning, Colin Rea walked De la Cruz with two outs and subsequently stole second base. It was the shortstop’s 36th steal of the season, the most in the Major Leagues.
While advancing from second base with fellow Dominican Jeimer Candelario batting, Rea threw poorly toward second trying to surprise De la Cruz. The ball passed between the legs of the Reds player and headed towards center field.
De la Cruz ran to third base and never stopped his run because of the error. As center fielder Blake Perkins recovered the ball, Elly was already on her way to home plate. Perkins made a good shot on the plate, but De la Cruz beat him with a sliding header to make the game 2-0.
According to Statcast data, De La Cruz reached a sprint speed of 30.4 feet per second.
In the first inning, De La Cruz also scored the Reds’ first run. He hit a one-out triple to right field and came home on Candelario’s sacrifice fly.
