Jesse Winker hopped up and down a couple of times from the on-deck circle when he disagreed with a called strike against Jonathan India in the bottom of the first inning.
Forget that the Cincinnati Reds had already scored seven runs in the inning. Forget it was India’s second at-bat of the first inning. They’re always looking for more.
Wonder what it’s like to be a part of the Reds lineup these days? Locked in and not giving up an inch.
Winker homered in his next at-bat, a solo blast over the center-field fence. The Reds rolled to a 10-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on Friday, scoring at least five runs in 13 of their last 14 games.
"We talked before the season started as an offense about just having to play above, maybe, what anybody thinks we should play or personally the way guys have played in their careers," catcher Tucker Barnhart said, "if we wanted to get to where we want to go."
More:Mike Moustakas is back. What it means for the Cincinnati Reds' infield, Eugenio Suárez
The Reds have scored the most runs in the National League following the All-Star break, and they just added Mike Moustakas and Nick Castellanos to their lineup over the past two days. When they’re clicking, it’s a scary sight for opposing pitchers.
Moustakas, fresh off the 60-day injured list, ripped a two-run double in his first at-bat in nearly three months. He clapped his hands from second base and waved to teammates in the dugout. The GABP crowd of 27,804 serenaded him with “Moooose” chants.
"Couldn't have really drawn it up any better," Moustakas said. "It was so much fun to be able to get out there and have fun playing baseball again. I was kind of tired of watching. I'm not a very good bench guy sitting around."
Moustakas hit two more doubles in his return from the IL, the first game of his 11-year career with three doubles. He became the first Reds batter with three doubles in a game since Jose Peraza on Aug. 15, 2018.
"I’ve loved watching him play from afar for so many years," Barnhart said. "I’m glad I don’t have to call pitches against him anymore. I’m glad he’s on our team and making other catchers stress."
More:How Jonathan India transformed into a Rookie of the Year contender
Kyle Farmer continued the first-inning rally with a two-run bloop single into center field. Then Barnhart delivered the knockout punch with a three-run homer halfway up the right-field seats.
The Reds had a 7-0 lead after two innings Thursday, and they topped it with seven runs in the first inning Friday. It was the third time the Reds have scored at least seven runs in an inning this year.
"Any time we get one of our players back, especially someone like Moose, it is energizing," Reds manager David Bell said. "I still go back to what we were able to do before we were getting guys back. Guys were stepping up and doing a little bit extra. I still think we’re going to be better off in the end because of that."
The Reds have outscored the Pirates, 68-21, in their eight games this year. It's the Reds' largest run differential (+47) against a single opponent through eight games since the 1911 Boston Rustlers (+55), according to STATS LLC.
It's thorough domination against a last-place team, but those are the games that show up in a playoff race.
"This is what you dream about as a little kid," Moustakas said, "showing up to the field every day with a chance to get to the postseason."
Hitting coach Alan Zinter shared a stat with hitters, Farmer said, about the Reds receiving the fewest pitches down the middle of the plate in the Major Leagues. Pitchers are trying to force Reds hitters to chase pitches and they still lead the NL in hits.
All eight starting position players scored a run Friday once India hammered a solo homer in the sixth inning. India, a contender for Rookie of the Year honors, has five home runs in his last seven games.
More:Series Wrap: Where would the Reds sit in the standings if they kept Raisel Iglesias?
It didn’t hurt the offense provided such a big lead in the first inning, but Wade Miley may not have needed it with the way he pitched. He spun seven shutout innings, permitting six hits and two walks while striking out five.
"One of the better games he’s pitched all year," Bell said. "I think that’s saying a lot."
Miley adjusted after the first inning when the Pirates weren't as aggressive as he expected with his inside cutters, turning to his fastball and changeup. He lowered his season ERA to 2.75 on Friday, the ninth-lowest mark in the Majors.
The Reds have scored 10-plus runs in six of Miley’s starts this season. He said at the beginning of the year he’s never lost when the offense has given him 10 runs and that’s proven true.
"Hopefully, we can do it again in five days," Miley said, smiling.
More:'It's really what separates him': Michael Lorenzen rescues Reds bullpen in win over Twins
Pittsburgh hitters tried to disrupt Miley’s quick tempo, and the veteran left-hander wasn’t fazed. He had a stretch where he threw a first-pitch strike to nine consecutive batters. Gregory Polanco called for time just as Miley started his windup in the fourth inning. Miley struck him out with a 91-mph fastball on the next pitch.
Miley ended his outing by starting a double play to end the sixth inning. He leaped in front of the mound to catch a comebacker and celebrated with a fist pump after the double play was completed.
Forget that Miley had a 10-run lead. Like the offense, he was locked in
"I told Joey (Votto) I’m ready to play some basketball," Miley said. "I could have dunked right there."
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