Reds’ offense comes back to life after win over Cardinals

ST. LOUIS – Especially with the absence of some key Reds hitters, Jonathan India has not hesitated to step up his efforts. India are also accumulating doubles at a crazy rate.

With two more doubles in the Reds’ 9-4 win over the Cardinals on Saturday at Busch Stadium, India not only extended his hitting streak to 11 games, but also set a new franchise record with a double in seven straight games.

“Wow. It’s pretty cool, right? ” said India. “It’s a great record. I don’t know what else to say. I feel good at the moment. »

“It’s so awesome. This guy is a beast,” said catcher Austin Wynns, who hit three doubles himself in his Reds debut.

TJ Friedl has been off the injured list for six games with a right hamstring strain. India has returned to his former leadoff role to replace Friedl and is hitting .591 (13-for-22) with a 1.667 OPS while notching nine doubles, four walks and a hit-by-pitch.

India’s double to left field scored Wynns and opened the scoring in the third inning; India scored on an RBI double by Elly De La Cruz for a 2-0 Reds lead.

“I’m not changing anything,” India said. “Guys come down and you definitely have that thought, ‘Let’s go.’ I’ve got to get it back now. I’m the same guy every day. I show up, prepare and help my team win.

In the seventh inning against Cardinals reliever Gordon Graceffo, who was making his MLB debut, India hit a two-out RBI double to left field that scored Wynns for the second time.

“I’m going to see that double he hit against me in my nightmares,” Graceffo said.

The last major leaguer with a double in seven straight games was Bo Bichette, who doubled nine straight for Toronto in 2019.

The Reds moved closer to winning their first series in six tries, which would be significant as they have won the first game in four of them, only to lose the remaining games and the series.

Saturday’s win came against former Reds and Cardinals ace Sonny Gray, who entered the game with a 9-4 record and a 2.81 ERA. Going 4 1/3 innings, Gray had his shortest outing of the season while allowing six runs (three earned).

Sparked by an error by perennial Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado, the Reds sent 10 men to the plate during a six-run fifth inning.

It was a 2-1 game in the fifth when De La Cruz hit a one-out triple to right field. With two men on Gray, Jake Fraley made a 10-pitch plate appearance that ended with a grounder to load the bases.

A break came in Cincinnati’s favor when Arenado choked out Noelvi Marte’s grounder and made a late throw with a run scoring. That ended Gray’s day and opened the door for Stuart Fairchild to add a two-out, two-run single to left field, plus a two-run single by Will Benson and Wynns’ RBI double to left field that Arenado got.

“Sonny Gray on paper, hello? This guy is a stud. It was a good day,” Wynns said. “I’m really happy that we pulled with all our strength and won. We needed it. It’s a big series and it’s not an easy team. It’s a very good team. »

Meanwhile, rookie Carson Spiers continued to make the most of his rotation audition with a quality start over six innings while allowing two runs (one earned) and three hits with a walk and four strikeouts. The only blemish was a two-out solo homer by Paul Goldschmidt in the sixth inning.

“He went out there, executed his throws, mixed it up and (we played) good defense,” Wynns said. “Goldschmidt got that one, but I was like, ‘It’s all good, you did an awesome job today.'”

Could this finally be the start of real momentum for the 39-44 Reds as they try to show they can compete in the National League playoffs?

Frustrated by the recent flashpoints and procrastination, India has remained cautious.

“We dominate a match and then we take a step back. We will see how tomorrow goes,” India said. “We are in a good position. Our attack is clicking. I don’t know what it is, we have to win tomorrow.