WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Elly De La Cruz has struggled much of the second half this season. But that didn't stop the Cincinnati Reds shortstop from making history again Sept. 12 against the Athletics on the west coast. After his second-inning single put runners at the corners in the third inning, De La Cruz stole second.

The Cincinnati Reds have activated rookie pitcher Chase Burns and relief pitcher Graham Ashcraft from the injured list on Thursday. In corresponding roster moves, they sent Lyon Richardson and Yosver Zulueta to Triple-A Louisville.

The Cincinnati Reds look to rebound from a night of missed opportunities when they face the Athletics in the middle contest of a three-game series on Saturday night at West Sacramento, Calif.

Athletics first. Lawrence Butler homers to center field. Shea Langeliers grounds out to shallow infield, Ke'Bryan Hayes to Spencer Steer. Nick Kurtz strikes out swinging. Brent Rooker grounds out

With just 16 games remaining in the regular season, the Cincinnati Reds sit just 1 1/2 games back of the third and final National League Wild Card spot. As it stands on Friday at 10 am, here are the current National League Wild Card standings: Chicago Cubs 83-63 (+7.

The Reds have their swagger back in the chase for the final wild-card spot after winning four of their last six.

The Athletics kick off a three-game series today against the Cincinnati Reds at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. The Reds, despite being only two games over .500, are just 1.5 games behind the Mets for the final Wild Card position. Cincinnati will be motivated but our A’s are in a great position to play spoiler this weekend.

With Soderstrom out of the lineup on Friday night against Reds righty Brady Singer, the A's will be sending 28-year-old rookie Carlos Cortes into left, batting eighth. Cortes hasn't been in the starting lineup much this month, generally coming in as a pinch-hitter where has gone 2-for-5 (.400) with his first career home run and three RBI.