Elly De La Cruz hits 2-run HR, Reds beat Dodgers 6-2 to delay NL West title

Elly De La Cruz connected for a two-run home run, helping the Cincinnati Reds edge the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 and delay the Dodgers' attempt to clinch the NL West title. The Reds needed just this one victory to keep the Dodgers from securing their fifth consecutive NL West crown and 13th in 14 seasons.

The Dodgers (92-60) required either a win or a San Diego loss to win the division championship. However, San Diego faced Colorado later that night.

Pitcher Blake Snell started for the Dodgers but left after one inning due to left groin tightness. Snell, who previously threw a no-hitter for the Giants, faced three batters and allowed a hit with a strikeout over 19 pitches.

Blake Treinen replaced Snell in the second inning, and six relievers took the mound for Los Angeles. Mookie Betts singled in the third, scoring on Will Smith's double, putting the Dodgers ahead 1-0. Abbott gave up a run on three hits and five walks in 4 2/3 innings.

Tejay Antone (3-2) struck out the side in the sixth, and De La Cruz's 28th homer of the season off Seth Halvorsen (1-2) extended the Reds' lead to 2-1. Dane Myers' homer off Bobby Miller, his seventh of the season, increased the gap to 3-1 in the fifth. Juan Brito's RBI single made it 4-2 in the sixth.

TJ Friedl's three-base hit with the bases loaded in the seventh drove in two runs. Sal Stewart was tagged out at home plate by Dodgers center fielder Tommy Edman to end the inning.

The Dodgers stranded 12 runners, and they failed to score in 11 opportunities with runners in scoring position. Starting Thursday's series finale, Reds' RHP Brady Singer (6-14, 5.38 ERA) is slated to take the mound. The Dodgers have not yet announced their starter.