Reds News: Elly De La Cruz joins 20/60 club, Connor Phillips struggles, Joey Votto

The Cincinnati Reds enjoyed a comeback of epic proportions on Wednesday night in Toronto. Nick Martinez had some struggles early, and the Reds fell behind 6-0 after three innings. Toronto Blue Jays' starter Yariel Rodriguez did not even allow a single hit until the fourth inning. But a Spencer Steer two-run homer got the party started, and suddenly things began to change.

Steer's homer in the fourth narrowed the lead to 6-2, and then a five-run onslaught in the fifth inning that saw the Reds bat around spilled over into the sixth inning where Cincinnati would score another three runs. In total, the Reds outscored the Blue Jays 11-1 over the final six innings of the ball game and walked out of the Rogers Centre with a series victory.

Reds News: Elly De La Cruz joined exclusive 20/60 club

Reds' superstar Elly De La Cruz got Cincinnati's first hit of the night — even though he was tagged out trying to stretch a single into a double — and made some history during the fifth inning when he stole his 60th bag of the 2024 season.

De La Cruz is now the fifth player in Major League Baseball history to have at least 20 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a single season. Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. accomplished the feat last season, while Reds' greats Eric Davis and Joe Morgan did so as well.

Reds News: Connor Phillips' reset in Arizona did him no good

For the very good to the very bad; Connor Phillips was back on the bump for the Louisville Bats on Wednesday night after a two-month hiatus. Phillips was demoted to the Arizona Complex League in June after a disastrous start to his 2024 campaign.

But the tuneup didn't work. Phillips was barely able to get through the first inning, as a pair walks threatened to derail the Bats' chances from the jump. Phillips got his first and only strikeout in the second inning, but did issue another free pass.

Phillips' third inning went single, single, hit-by-pitch, and walk before Bats' manager Pat Kelly had seen enough and pulled the right-hander before he recorded an out. Phillips threw 71 pitches in two-plus inning of work.

Reds News: Joey Votto visits his former teammates and coaches

Joey Votto announced his retirement via Instagram on Wednesday night. The former Reds first baseman was attempting to make a comeback to the big leagues with the Toronto Blue Jays, but injuries and a lack of production didn't allow that plan to come to fruition.

Votto, however, made the trek from Buffalo back to Toronto on Wednesday night in time to see his former teammates exiting the locker oom at the Rogers Centre. Reds fans have no idea what's next for Votto, but many assume he'll find his way back to the only organization he's ever really known.

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