Reds News: Elly De La Cruz hit streak, Tucker Barnhart resurfaces, bullpen dominance

The Cincinnati Reds split a rain-soaked series versus their bitter division rival this week and remain two games above .500. The Reds (17-15) won Thursday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals by a final score of 9-1 and the bullpen was outstanding (more on that later).

The Reds' bats finally came alive after being virtually shutout during the day-night doubleheader on Wednesday. Cincinnati now welcomes the Washington Nationals to town for a three-game set and are looking to pull even with the NL Central Division-leading Chicago Cubs.

Reds News: Elly De La Cruz hit streak comes to an end

Unfortunately for Elly De La Cruz, he'll need to begin a new streak. The Reds superstar shortstop watched his career-best 14-game hit streak come to an end during Thursday's series finale against the Cardinals.

De La Cruz was 19-for-54 during those 14 games with a .352/.429/.481 slash line, two home runs, and six RBI. The speedster also swiped six bags during his hit streak. Thanks to a walk and hit-by-pitch, however, De La Cruz's 19-game on-base steak is still intact.

Reds News: Former fan-favorite Tucker Barnhart resurfaces with Rangers

Old friends reunited on Thursday night in Arlington when Tucker Barnhart was activated ahead of the Texas Rangers game against the Athletics. The former Reds' fan-favorite, who'd signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers this past offseason, was hanging the signs for Tyler Mahle during the Rangers' 3-0 loss.

Barnhart's contract was selected from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday after Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka was diagnosed with an intercostal strain. The Rangers have since placed Higashioka on the IL, meaning Barnhart is likely to see plenty of time behind the plate for Texas over the next month or so.

Reds News: Cincy's bullpen has been incredible

The Reds bullpen has undergone a makeover the past couple of days. Alexis Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Louisville after a disastrous performance during Game 1 of the Reds doubleheader against the Cardinals on Wednesday afternoon. But since that appearance by Diaz, the Reds bullpen has sat down 35 hitters in a row.

Brent Suter, Lyon Richardson, Graham Ashcraft, Taylor Rogers, and newcomer Luis Mey deserve all the credit. Suter and Richardson — who's since been sent back to Triple-A Louisville — put up zeroes after Chase Petty was lifted during the the third inning of his MLB debut on Wednesday.

Ashcraft came on in relief of Andrew Abbott after Thursday's rain delay and was un-hittable. Rogers kept the base paths clear in the eighth, and the rookie hurler Mey took care of the Cardinals in the ninth inning with high-heat. It's been utter domination for the Reds relief corps; something that manager Terry Francona hopes to see continue when the Nats come to town on Friday.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors