Reds hope off-day recharges Elly before biggest test of '24

PHOENIX -- Elly De La Cruz didn't particularly want it, but the Reds shortstop was given his first day off from the starting lineup on Wednesday.

It ended up being a partial off-day, but his struggling team will badly need the benefit of his recharged batteries ahead of a stretch of schedule that becomes even more challenging.

Cincinnati lost a 2-1 series finale to the Diamondbacks, and now seven of its next 10 games are against the National League West-leading Dodgers.

De La Cruz pinch-hit and grounded out in the top of the eighth and stayed in the game on defense for the bottom of the inning.

“This was a decision for today," manager David Bell said of De La Cruz. "It’s not easy taking guys out of the lineup, especially guys I know want to play every day. It still felt like the right thing to do.”

One of many Reds hitters in an extended funk, De La Cruz is batting .216 (11-for-51) with two RBIs over his past 13 games. The only other player who appeared in every Reds game entering this series, Spencer Steer, was given his first day off on Tuesday. Steer is batting .167 (13-for-78) with one homer in his past 22 games.

"The way Spencer and Elly both play this game, I think it’s in their best interests," Bell said.

What did De La Cruz think about finally getting a break for the first time this season?

“What can I say? He’s the boss," De La Cruz said. "I can’t say anything.”

These have been some troubling times for the 18-25 Reds, who have dropped 15 of 19 games since their last pair of back-to-back victories on April 23-24.

The Reds lost two of three to Arizona, with one-run being the difference in both defeats. They are an MLB-worst 1-10 this season in one-run games.

“I’d rather be in it and be competitive than the alternative," Reds catcher Luke Maile said. "We obviously have to win games. That’s what is important in this league, we understand that. We talk about process a lot. We played a really clean series this week. If we keep on executing the way we did, we’re going to be fine.”

Spoiled on Wednesday was a superb start by Andrew Abbott, who gave up one earned run and four hits over seven crisp innings. The only blemish was Christian Walker's leadoff homer to left field in the second inning.

De La Cruz's replacement starter at shortstop, Santiago Espinal, provided the Reds' only run and one of two hits against Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt with a two-out homer in the fifth inning.

The game came down to the eighth inning. Reds reliever Fernando Cruz retired the first two batters he faced but gave up back-to-back doubles, with pinch-hitter Pavin Smith hitting one to right-center field on a 3-1 pitch before pinch-runner Corbin Carroll scored on Lourdes Gurriel Jr.'s game-winner.

"I faced him a couple times before, and we faced him as a team in that eighth inning a few times and he's gotten the first two guys out every time and then he walks the third guy," Smith said. "So I knew that was probably his main goal, was not walking [me]. So when I got to a 3-1 count, I was kind of selling out to the heater and got one."

That outcome underscored a disparity in Cruz's performances over his 19 appearances this season.

In nine games and 8 2/3 innings in which he's inherited another reliever's runners, he's allowed one earned run with one walk and 18 strikeouts. Of his 17 inherited men on base, three have scored.

In the 10 games and 9 1/3 innings in which he started out with a fresh frame, Cruz has allowed eight earned runs with 10 walks and 16 strikeouts, with a grand slam on May 1. In three of his past four games with clean innings, he's retired the first two batters before giving up runs.

“[Cruz] threw strikes. Got behind to Smith and he had a nice swing on it," Bell said. "They got two hits to win the game. Cruz is going to continue to be good for us.”

The Reds will need De La Cruz, Steer, Cruz and everybody else to be at the top of their games to have a chance this weekend at Los Angeles.

“One-hundred percent," Maile said. "Sometimes you can be on the very top of your game and just not have it go your way also. Against a [Dodgers] team like that, they’re talented. Arizona is talented. We’re going to be OK, but it’s going to be a process thing. We have to stick together, and we will.”