What happened: De La Cruz turned a 94.9 mph four-seam fastball into a first-inning homer to straightaway center. It left his bat at 108.2 mph with a 37-degree launch angle.
Why it matters: The surge comes less than a week after De La Cruz left a game with left quad tightness. His quick return to extra-base production eases an immediate concern entering September.
By the numbers: From Sept. 5 through his first plate appearance Sept. 7, De La Cruz was 5-for-9 with three homers, six RBIs and three runs.
What to watch: Watch whether his power run reaches a fourth consecutive game.