Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona had a lighthearted moment during Monday night's game against the Washington Nationals.

The Cincinnati Reds have played 97 of their 162 games this season, which means we are entering the area of sample sizes you can trust. One player that is providing nothing but upward trends is Elly De La Cruz.

De La Cruz's first-inning single against the Miami Marlins made him the second primary shortstop in Reds history with 100 hits before the All-Star break, joining National Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, according to team officials. Larkin accomplished the feat in 1989 with 107 hits and again in 1993 with 109 hits.

Nick Lodolo pitched his first complete game with eight strikeouts, Nick Fraley and Santiago Espinal each had two hits and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Washington Nationals 5-0.

Nick Lodolo went the distance and kept the Cincinnati Reds as the only team in the majors that hasn’t been swept this season. Lodolo threw a four-hitter for his first career shutout and the