WASHINGTON — It was fitting for the occasion on July 4: a few ailing Reds batsmen declared independence from their crises, and at a club where another batsman often takes the lead, nearly all got involved.
“Today everyone was there. it was sick “Our line-up was right,” said India.
Cincinnati (47-39) has won six of their last seven games and 18 of their last 22.
In the first inning against left-hander Patrick Corbin, Matt McLain fought his way into left field with a double. After tearing up from second place in the fight for India, he scored the first run of the game with an RBI single. Steer blew up a hit between three defenders in short left field to set up a second run.
“You never know exactly at 11 o’clock [morning] “Obviously we played hard and had a night game last night,” said Reds manager David Bell. “The way we came out early in the game set the tone for the game in base running.”
With an out in the third inning, Senzel smacked Corbin’s 2-1 pitch down left field for a three-run home run and a 5-0 lead. As the prospects soar, Senzel’s playing time has been cut back in recent weeks. He played at right field in his first start since June 26 in Baltimore.
India added solo home throws to center in the fourth and sixth innings after scoring 5 of 43 (.116) with a grand slam in their last 12 games.
“Ultimately, the results don’t count. “All I care about is winning,” said India. “As long as my team wins, I don’t care how I do.” I just want to help win in some way. I just prepare every day like it’s my last game. I make sure I’m mentally and physically ready and give everything I have on the day.”
Switch-hitter De La Cruz, who came in as a right-hander with a .107 batting average this season and has amassed 6 of 39 with 16 strikeouts in his last nine games, amassed four singles with a sacrifice fly.
“That was huge today,” De La Cruz said of translator Jorge Merlos. “I’m happy about the results today, batting as a right-hander.” It went well for us. Hopefully it will continue.”
Three of De La Cruz’s goals came from the right side of the plate against Corbin. After his leadoff hit in the third inning, he easily stole second base – one of the team’s six swipes that day.
Bell expected 21-year-old De La Cruz to gain confidence from the right.
“He had a great day on plate, on bases and on third base,” Bell said. “He’s been working really hard on his right-hand swing.” Working both sides can be a lot of work for a switch hitter. I know he’s been trying to establish himself as a right-hander and today was a big day for him. It should get him going.”
De La Cruz became only the second major league player aged 21 or under since 1950 and the first since Minnesota’s Luis Rivas (2000-01) to record two four-goal games in his first 25 games.
In his first major league appearance since 2018, starting pitcher Brett Kennedy hit more than five innings on his Reds debut, allowing four runs with five hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Kennedy only allowed two doubles against CJ Abrams in the first four innings until Derek Hill hit an RBI single with two outs at the bottom of the fifth inning. In the sixth run, after Kennedy ran first batter and gave up a single, reliever Fernando Cruz allowed two inherited runners to score, making it a three-run game.
“For me, we had an early lead, and it was all about throwing shots and trusting the defense,” Kennedy said. “If you give up a run, just limit it, get the team back in the dugout and just let them swing.”
Perhaps because they weren’t expected to start this season, or because of their lack of tenure, none of the Reds’ offensive leaders this season — India, McLain, Steer or De La Cruz — have been invited to join Alexis Díaz All -Star game.
“I’m not worried about what people think of us. “At the end of the day we just have fun playing together the game we love, playing with heart and passion,” India said. “We have one goal in mind: to go through to the end and win the ring.”