Reds Rookie Hits Massive Homer After Opposing Manager Questions His Bat, Taunts Dugout

Nationals manager Dave Martinez called for Elly De La Cruz's bat to be checked for foreign substances before an at-bat; the bat was cleared but its sensor cover had to be removed.
De La Cruz struck out in that at-bat but homered in his next trip to the plate, a 455-foot blast that had an exit velocity of 111.6 mph.
After hitting the home run, De La Cruz pointed toward the knob of his bat, appearing to taunt the Nationals for having it checked.
Martinez criticized De La Cruz's actions after the homer but also praised his talent and potential.
Since joining the Reds in early June, De La Cruz has a .318 average, 14 extra-base hits and 11 steals in 26 games; Cincinnati is 21-6 in those games.