Reds Sweep Rangers Behind De La Cruz, Burns

Cincinnati rallies late to complete series victory over Texas.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:45am

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A dynamic, colorful painting featuring bold, energetic brushstrokes that capture the motion and intensity of a baseball game, with players' figures dissolving into abstraction.The Reds' young stars shine in a series sweep, fueling hopes for a playoff push in Cincinnati.Arlington Today

The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Texas Rangers 2-1 on Sunday, completing a three-game series sweep. Elly De La Cruz drove in the winning run in the eighth inning after earlier scoring on his speed, while starting pitcher Graham Burns turned in a strong outing for the Reds.

Why it matters

The Reds' series victory over the Rangers marks an important early-season momentum boost for the team, which is looking to build on a promising 2025 campaign and challenge for the playoffs in 2026. De La Cruz and Burns are two of Cincinnati's top young talents, and their performances highlighted the Reds' depth and potential.

The details

With the game tied 1-1 in the eighth inning, Reds rookie sensation Elly De La Cruz delivered a go-ahead RBI single to drive in the winning run. Earlier, De La Cruz had used his speed to score the Reds' first run in the fourth inning. Starting pitcher Graham Burns pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one run to earn the victory.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
  • De La Cruz scored the Reds' first run in the fourth inning.
  • De La Cruz drove in the winning run in the eighth inning.

The players

Elly De La Cruz

A 22-year-old rising star outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds, known for his combination of power, speed, and athleticism.

Graham Burns

The Reds' starting pitcher, a 25-year-old right-hander who turned in a strong outing to earn the victory.

Texas Rangers

The Reds' opponent, a Major League Baseball team based in Arlington, Texas.

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What they’re saying

“Elly is a special talent, and he showed that again today with his speed and timely hitting. This was a big win for us to complete the sweep.”

— David Bell, Reds Manager

What’s next

The Reds will look to build on this series sweep as they continue their early-season road trip, facing the Houston Astros next weekend.

The takeaway

The Reds' young core of De La Cruz and Burns led the way in this series victory, showcasing the team's depth and potential to compete in the NL Central this season.