ST. LOUIS –– Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said he was rattled, but it wasn’t because of the Reds’ seven-game losing streak.
After the Reds lost 5-2 on Sunday to the St. Louis Cardinals, Bell was focused on second baseman Jonathan India, who was hit in the helmet by a pitch and left the game.
Bell said India was fine after the game, but he was more concerned about his rookie second baseman than three consecutive games where the Reds couldn’t produce many runs.
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“The most important thing is protecting our players,” Bell said. “I don't like to see anyone get hit. I don't like anyone on the other team to get hit, anyone on our team, especially in the head. My options are pretty limited at that point what to do about it. There's really not much I can do.”
The task doesn't get any easier for the Reds, who begin a three-game series with the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers beginning Monday night.
In the top of the sixth inning on Sunday, a fastball by Cardinals starter Jack Flaherty hit India in the helmet. After the umpires issued a warning to both teams, Bell argued with the umpires and was ejected from the game.
Bell and a trainer went onto the field to check on India. India then walked to first base with Bell and the trainer. While the trainer continued to speak with India, Bell argued with multiple umpires.
“He has our back,” left fielder Jesse Winker said. “All of our coaches have our backs, we have each other’s backs. It’s amazing.”
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India stayed at first base and finished the inning. But after the top of the sixth, infielder Kyle Farmer replaced him at second base. Bell said India passed all the necessary tests to stay in the game, but the coaching staff pulled India out of caution.
“That's all that really matters, he's OK,” Bell said. “We'll continue to keep a close eye on him, but I really believe he's going to be fine.”
In all three games of the series, the Reds had a chance late in the game to score a game-tying run. But in each game, Cincinnati’s offense came up just short.
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The result was a few moments of frustration. When shortstop Eugenio Suárez struck out with a runner on base in the seventh inning, he dropped his bat, slammed his helmet to the ground and threw his wristband onto the infield dirt.
This season, the Reds have been one of the best hitting teams in MLB, leading the National League in batting average, OPS and runs. For three straight games, the Reds didn’t have much success against the Cardinals starting pitcher.
Over the three game series, Cincinnati scored two total runs against St. Louis’ starters. On Sunday, Flaherty allowed one run and three hits in seven innings.
“It’s a 162-game season and you’re going to go through winning streaks and you’re going to go through losing streaks,” Winker said. “It’s just part of it, right? We’ve just got to keep fighting and just continue to pick each other up. It will turn.”
Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo didn’t match Flaherty’s production. After Sunday’s game, Castillo has allowed 12 hits and 13 runs in the first inning. In the first inning, the Cardinals opened the game with two singles and an RBI fielder’s choice.
Cardinals right fielder Tyler O’Neill hit two home runs off Castillo, and Dylan Carlson added to that lead in the fifth inning.
Castillo left the game at the end of the fifth having allowed six hits and four earned runs. Through five starts this season, Castillo has a 6.29 ERA.
“We’re trying to look at our videos and see if it’s something mechanically, if I’m locating it wrong,” Castillo said. “I’m always looking to see what I can improve out there. Those are things that we’re working on.”
The Reds got the go-ahead run to the plate in the top of the ninth but couldn't get a breakthrough hit. Suárez flew out to center field, and catcher Tucker Barnhart grounded out to first to end the game.
“You get tested in these times and when you pass the test — usually it's about staying together — and you keep competing and you never give up, you get rewarded,” Bell said. “We saw it happen with our team last year. If anything, we're passing the tests even more this year. We've been through a lot together and it pays off. It's just the way it is.”
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