Reds lineup shuffle proves effective in win over Cubs

CHICAGO -- Even before TJ Friedl went on the injured list with an oblique injury a couple of weeks ago, Reds manager David Bell mulled a lineup change and let Jonathan India know his thoughts. Bell wanted to move India out of the leadoff spot to bat third and install Friedl at the top of the order.

India was on board with the change, which went into effect for the first time on Tuesday once Friedl was activated. The offensive jolt Bell had hoped for came to fruition Saturday during an 8-5 victory over the Cubs. Friedl reached three times and scored twice while India notched three hits with a pair of home runs and tied his career high with five RBIs.

"I batted third my whole life -- high school, college, in the Minors coming up," India said. "I fell into the one-hole because of the team we had my rookie year, which was an incredible team. … I’m going to hit first here and there, like with lefties on the mound. I feel at home there.”

With one out in the third inning as the Reds trailed, 4-1, Friedl hit a liner to right-center field off Jameson Taillon and hustled all the way for a double. Two batters later, India lined an RBI single to left field and was thrown out at second base trying for a double.

There were two outs in the fifth inning when Friedl drew a walk on five pitches. Then he stole second base.

“Immediately after I walked, I knew Taillon is a good guy to run on," Friedl said. "With two outs, you want to get into scoring position however you can to create a good chance to score.”

Matt McLain tapped a soft-hit ball into right field, but it was enough to score Friedl and force Taillon from the game.

"That was a big run," Bell said. "The way it happened was really a beautiful thing. Great at-bats, stolen base. You don’t always have to hit it hard."

Michael Fulmer took over from the Cubs’ bullpen to face India, who pushed a 1-0 fastball through the wind to right field for a two-run homer and a 5-4 Reds lead.

"If that ball got caught, my bat would’ve been in the stands," India joked. "I hit two balls yesterday that were hit hard and weren’t falling. It evened out tonight.”

In the seventh inning, with McLain on first base after a leadoff single, India lifted another two-run homer on the first pitch he saw from reliever Jeremiah Estrada for a four-run lead.

India has started 221 games at the leadoff spot for Cincinnati. But having Friedl and the rookie McLain at the top two spots provided contact and speed. It provided more separation between the lineup's two lefty hitters -- Friedl and cleanup hitter Jake Fraley -- to make it harder for opponents to use a lefty reliever against both.

“It worked out well," Friedl said. "Whether Jon is leading off or I’m leading off, we know our role and we know what we have to do -- getting on base, moving around, stealing bases and making things happen. I feel like no matter where we’re at in the order, we all know our role whether we’re first, second, third. It’s a big part about this team. Everyone knows their role and executes their role. It’s the momentum we need as an offense.”

Bell also felt the new look gave his lineup more length and created more run production opportunities for the bottom of the order. One of the team's hottest hitters, Spencer Steer, went to sixth and Nick Senzel moved down to seventh. Senzel's RBI single in the second inning gave the Reds their first run.

"Just having as deep of a lineup as we possibly can is important," Bell said Tuesday.

At 23-29 after winning the first two games of the three-game series at Chicago, the Reds are percentage points behind the third-place Cardinals and only four games behind the first-place Brewers.

India is batting .291 with an .815 OPS in 52 games this season, which has been a nice bounceback from an injury-plagued '22 season where his production dipped. He is enjoying his personal renaissance while helping an improving Reds club.

“It’s a great feeling," he said. "I’m healthy this year. It’s a big part of my success. It’s good baseball this year. We have a good team and it’s just fun to play with these guys. The momentum carries and I feed off everyone. I just love it.”