History has a way of repeating itself, but not usually the day later.
Unless your name is Carlos De La Cruz.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday, trailing 6-5, the Nationals outfield prospect found himself in the same shoes as the night before for Double-A Harrisburg. As teammate Johnathon Thomas once again danced off third base, De La Cruz was down to his last strike. On the fifth pitch of the at-bat, he launched his second walk-off homer in as many nights for the Senators, securing a 7-6 comeback victory over Reading at FNB Field.
While slightly less emphatic out of the box than the night before, De La Cruz accomplished almost a carbon copy of Tuesday's feat against the Phillies affiliate. His 10th-inning homer had clinched a 7-6 win and capped his three-hit night, and the 25-year-old outfielder celebrated by spiking his bat and unleashing a roar to his home dugout before starting his trot.
Dating back to 1985, only five players have hit walk-off homers in back-to-back games against the same opponent in the Major Leagues, according to Elias Sports Bureau: Jonah Heim (2021), Albert Pujols (2011), Albert Belle (1995), Alvin Davis (1986) and Fred Lynn (1985).
COMPLETE NATIONALS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Of De La Cruz's six homers this season, four have come against the Senators -- the righty slugger also clubbed long balls on back-to-back days in early May. He settled for a one-hit night Wednesday, but on the year, he's 9-for-29 with five extra-base hits and 10 RBIs against Reading.
De La Cruz elected free agency this past offseason after six years in the Phillies organization. He played 232 games for Reading across parts of the three seasons before signing a Minor League contract with the Nationals in January.