Over the last two weeks, just about every time the Cincinnati Reds have picked up a go-ahead RBI hit or needed to get a rally going at the top of the order, second baseman Jonathan India and center fielder TJ Friedl have led the way.
For a Reds’ team that’s working to build an identity around working tough at-bats, hustle and hard work, the one-two punch at the top of the Reds’ lineup is setting the tone.
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On Saturday in front of a crowd of 25,543 at Great American Ball Park, the Reds beat the White Sox, 5-3. India carried the offense early, and Friedl made up for an inconsistent start by Nick Lodolo with a go-ahead three-run home run in the fifth inning.
Recently, India plus Friedl has been the path to success for the Reds.
In games over the last two weeks, India has hit the go-ahead single in the 10th. Friedl has delivered a walk-off. India has put the Reds out in front in the eighth inning with an RBI single. Friedl has hit the go-ahead sacrifice fly. Friedl has picked up a hit, stolen second base and scored the game-tying run.
This duo has been the catalyst for just about every Reds’ comeback this season, and India and Friedl completely turned Saturday’s game around.
India gave the Reds an early lead with a run he created nearly on his own. Following a leadoff single in the first inning, India stole second and later raced home on an RBI single by Spencer Steer. India doubled in his next at-bat and then drew a walk in the fifth.
Following India’s walk, Friedl worked a seven-pitch at-bat. Friedl fouled off two pitches on the edge of the strike zone to stay alive, and then he drove a fastball down the middle over the center field fence to give the Reds a 4-3 lead.
Then in the seventh, following a single by India, Friedl added an RBI triple. He pumped up the crowd after he slid into third.
India is back to the player he was in 2021 when he won the NL Rookie of the Year award. He’s prioritizing getting on base and delivering clutch moments on a regular basis. Friedl, who had to compete for his spot on the Reds’ roster during spring training, has shown that the flashes of potential he showed in 2022 were a sign of how bright his future can be. Now, Friedl looks like an important piece of the core the Reds are building around.
Takeaways from Reds vs. White Sox
1. Starter Nick Lodolo only had three strikeouts and totaled just six swings and misses. His breaking ball didn’t have its usual movement, and the White Sox were ready for what Lodolo was throwing. Reds manager David Bell lifted Lodolo with two outs in the fourth inning even though Lodolo had only thrown 77 pitches. Lodolo allowed six hits and three runs, and his start unraveled in the fourth inning with a stretch against the bottom of the White Sox order where he allowed a home run and a double.
2. Reds third baseman Nick Senzel saved Lodolo’s first inning with his best defensive play of the season. With two runners on and two outs, White Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi hit a sharp ground ball down the third base line. Senzel made a headfirst diving stop and somehow threw the ball to first with his entire momentum going the other direction. Senzel prevented at least one run and ended an inning that was getting close to 30 pitches for Lodolo.
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3. Friedl takes a lot of pride in being a well-rounded player who can impact the game in a variety of ways. His shoestring, sliding catch in the fifth inning was just as impressive as his homer. Friedl charged a low line drive and caught the ball with the webbing of his glove to record the inning-ending out. One day after Friedl levitated on a home run robbery that looked impossible, he changed the game again with his defense.
Roster move
Before Saturday’s game, the Reds activated outfielder Wil Myers from the injured list and designated infielder Matt Reynolds for assignment. Myers had missed 10 days due to COVID, but he made a quick recovery and had been working out at Great American Ball Park for most of that stretch.
“I was super sick for a few days,” Myers said. “I was able to take those 10 days to get healthy. It was one of those 48-hour types of things. Hopefully, it’ll be a pretty easy transition getting back in there.”
Stat of the day
Lodolo has already allowed 10 homers this season. He allowed 13 total home runs in the entire 2022 season.
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