MLB’s bat regulations are fairly lax. The “torpedo” bats are legal so long as they follow league Rule 3.02, which states: “The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.”

Along the way Monday against the Texas Rangers, De La Cruz delivered, in order, a single, first stolen base of the season ,a three-run homer, a two-run double and then the seventh-inning shot. The first two home runs of the season for De La Cruz gave him his fourth career multi-homer game (first since August).

Using a torpedo bat, Elly De La Cruz had a single, double and two home runs with seven RBIs, as the Cincinnati Reds routed the Texas Rangers 14-3 on Monday night, and after the win, manager Terry Francona said "I think it's more the player than the bat.