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

CINCINNATI (AP) — Elly De La Cruz hit a two-run homer and the Cincinnati Reds at least temporarily prevented the Los Angeles Dodgers from clinching the NL West title with a 6-2 victory on Wednesday night.

The Dodgers (92-60) needed a win or a loss by San Diego to win their fifth straight NL West crown and 13th in 14 seasons. The Padres played at Colorado later Wednesday.

Left-hander Blake Snell started for the Dodgers but departed after one inning with left groin tightness. Snell, who threw a no-hitter for the Giants in his last appearance in Great American Ball Park, faced three batters, allowing a hit with a strikeout on 19 pitches.

Blake Treinen took over in the second as the first of six relievers used by Los Angeles.

Mookie Betts singled off Andrew Abbott in the third and scored on Will Smith's double to put the Dodgers ahead 1-0. Abbott allowed a run on three hits with five walks in 4 2/3 innings. Tejay Antone (3-2), the third of six Cincinnati pitchers, got the last out of the sixth.

De La Cruz's homer off Seth Halvorsen (1-2), his 28th of the season, put the Reds ahead 2-1 in the third. It was De La Cruz's fifth longball against the Dodgers this season, most of any opposing player.

Dane Myers' homer off Bobby Miller, his seventh, extended the Reds' lead to 3-1 in the fifth.

Juan Brito's RBI single made it 4-2 in the sixth.

TJ Friedl singled with the bases loaded in the seventh to drive in two runs. Sal Stewart was thrown out at the plate by Dodgers center fielder Tommy Edman to end the inning.

The Dodgers stranded 12 runners and went 0 for 11 with runners in scoring position.

RHP Brady Singer (6-14, 5.38 ERA) will start Thursday's series finale for the Reds. The Dodgers had not announced their starter.

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts (50) celebrates with Teoscar Hernández (37) after scoring on a double hit by Will Smith during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts rounds third base on his way to score on a double hit by Will Smith during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds' Dane Myers, left, watches his solo home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is at right, during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds' Dane Myers (17) celebrates hitting a solo home run with Elly De La Cruz (44) during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Zack Wheeler pitched seven scoreless innings, Alec Bohm went 2 for 2 with an RBI and three of Philadelphia's season-high 13 walks, and the Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Wheeler (13-5) allowed four hits, walked one and had four strikeouts. Jhoan Duran had two strikeouts in a 1-2-3 ninth for his 31st save this season.

Arraez hit an RBI double in the seventh inning and also walked three times. The Phillies are fighting the Chicago Cubs for the first NL wild-card spot.

Washington had its four-game win streak snapped and lost at home for just the third time in its last 12. The Nationals (71-82) clinched their seventh consecutive losing season since they went 93-69 and won the World Series in 2019.

Jared Simpson made his first career start and, after Kyle Schwarber lined out to lead off the game, walked Trea Turner, Bryce Harper and Arraez to load the bases. Bohm singled to drive in Turner and Harper scored when Bryson Stott walked to make it 2-0. Riley Cornelio replaced Simpson (1-1) and got J.T. Realmuto to strike out swinging before Brandon Marsh flied out to end the inning.

The Phillies haven't announced their starter for Thursday in the opener of a four-game series against the Mets in New York. Nationals RPH Cade Cavalli (12-5, 3.12 ERA) was set to start Friday at home against St. Louis.

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Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jhoan Duran reacts at the end of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm, right, and teammates celebrate after a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Philadelphia Phillies'Brandon Marsh reacts during his at bat during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Luis Arraez tosses to first base to put out Washington Nationals' Abimelec Ortiz during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)