De La Cruz joins elite company with 100th career steal

CINCINNATI -- Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is one of Elly De La Cruz’s favorite players to watch, and they share a somewhat similar balance of speed and power.

In the fourth inning of the Reds' 8-3 win over the Pirates at Great American Ball Park on Friday night, De La Cruz stole his MLB-leading 65th base of the season, giving him 100 steals for his career. He also has 24 home runs in 2024.

So, what would it take for the Reds’ dynamic shortstop to match Ohtani’s 50-50 season?

“To get 50 [home runs] would be really hard,” De La Cruz said. “But it’s not impossible. It is amazing. I mean, that's unbelievable.”

De La Cruz joined Vince Coleman and Rickey Henderson as the only players in the Modern Era (since 1900) with 100 or more stolen bases in their first two seasons.

De La Cruz has been in a bit of a stolen-base drought of late, with four steals in 25 games since Aug. 25 and six steals in 40 games since Aug. 9.

“We know he’s fast,” manager David Bell said. “He takes a lot of pride in stolen bases. You have to get on base, too. That’s been a big part of it for him this season. Impressive so far, what he’s doing.”

De La Cruz became the fastest MLB player to reach 100 stolen bases and 100 extra-base hits in 251 games, beating Juan Samuel, who got there in 253.

On the dubious side, De La Cruz struck out twice on Friday, giving him 206 K's on the season, eclipsing Drew Stubb’s single-season franchise mark of 205 strikeouts, set in 2011.

“We also know there’s more there,” Bell said. “He’s going to get better in all areas.”

With only seven games left, De La Cruz likely will fall short of becoming the first Reds player with 30 homers and 30 steals in a season since Brandon Phillips in 2007.

Eric Davis (1987), Barry Larkin (1996) and Phillips (2007) are the only Reds players to record a 30-30 season. No Reds player has had a 40-40 season.

De La Cruz realizes the breadth of Ohtani’s achievement.

“You have to work hard for that,” De La Cruz said. “I enjoy watching him play. He is an unbelievable player. He is one of my favorite players."

Tyler Stephenson also starred on Friday night, going 3-for-5 with a homer and five RBIs.

Stephenson, who hadn’t homered since Aug. 29, launched his career-best 19th homer in the first inning off Mitch Keller to put the Reds ahead 1-0. Stephenson’s previous best for homers was 13 in 2023.

In the third, Stephenson’s bases-loaded double drove in three runs during a four-run frame to make the score 5-0.

“Past few games, I’ve started to feel like myself again,” Stephenson said.

Jonathan India hit his 15th homer of the season in the 4th inning.

Later in the fourth, De La Cruz stole his 100th career base then scored on Stephenson’s bloop single to right, making the score 7-0.

Nick Martinez (10-6) pitched six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. He has a career-high four straight wins.

Martinez began the season in the bullpen, but when injuries hit the rotation, he stepped up in an important role.

“I’ve always believed in myself as a starter,” he said. “Whatever the team needs, I’m up for it.”