Notes: India fits atop order; Antone throws

SAN DIEGO -- It has become clear that rookie second baseman Jonathan India is a good fit for the leadoff spot in the Reds’ lineup. It’s reflected not only in his personal results, but the team’s, as well.

Friday marked India’s 13th start from the top of the order since he was moved up on June 5. In the previous 12 games, Cincinnati had a 9-3 record. India entered Friday with a .389 on-base percentage and .856 OPS in the leadoff spot.

“I love it, to be honest,” India said while in the visitor’s dugout before batting practice Friday. “I love setting the tempo. From that first pitch of the game, I want to be in that spot. Some guys can’t handle it. I feel so comfortable coming up to bat and knowing it’s the first pitch of the game.”

• Reds Injuries and Roster Moves

India began the series opener Thursday vs. the Padres with an infield single and delivered a go-ahead two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning before the Reds wound up losing, 6-4, in the bottom of the ninth.

After a strong Spring Training and hot first week in the big leagues, India saw his production cool considerably. He was batting a season-low .208 on May 12 while often batting in the bottom third of the order. Getting moved up gave him confidence.

“It helps you mentally as a player,” India said “Waiting around as a seven- or eight-hole or ninth hitter, it’s tough to really lock it in. You’re waiting and waiting, watching and watching, playing defense and coming back to crank it up. It’s tougher than leading off. Leading off, you get in there and you’re ready.”

Reds manager David Bell was already impressed with India in spring, when the rookie played himself onto the roster after beginning in Minor League camp.

“In some ways, he has exceeded all of our expectations,” Bell said. “Not so much any particular part of the game, just the way he plays the all-around game and no matter what’s happening, he’s very consistent with his intensity and doing something to help the team win. He just has a great approach to the game for a young player.

“For a young player, he has the ability to make everyone else around him better. That’s a little bit different for a first-year player. That’s pretty rare. Hitting in the leadoff spot, he hasn’t missed a beat. He has taken it on, and really provided a lot of energy at the top of our order with good at-bats, getting on base. He’s doing a nice job.”

Antone throws bullpen session
Injured Reds reliever Tejay Antone, who is on the 10-day injured list with right forearm inflammation threw a bullpen session on Friday and came away pleased.

“Really good,” Antone said. “That was a maximum-effort bullpen. Velo was 94-96 [mph], pretty much where I want it to be, minus adrenaline for a game. Right where I want it to be.”

Friday marked the first day Antone was eligible for activation, but he will not appear in the series at San Diego. Another bullpen session is scheduled for Sunday, and he will pitch multiple simulated innings.

“So the workload doesn’t jump too much going from sitting for 10 days or 12 days and then jumping in a game and throwing one or two [innings] or warming up in the bullpen and throwing one,” Antone said. “In a perfect world, I’d want to be activated Sunday. For the longevity of me and my career and the season and making sure I’m healthy the remainder of the season, the second bullpen makes sense.”

Antone no longer feels pain in his forearm. He felt positive about taking the time off.

“I definitely needed that,” he said. “It was definitely slower than I expected, the recovery was. I thought I’d take a few days of lighter throwing and I’d just feel great. It took probably five days to actually start feeling good again.”

USS Cincinnati crew caps
The Reds wore USS Cincinnati caps during batting practice Friday as a tribute to the crew of that US Navy combat ship.

Both the USS Cincinnati and USS San Diego are in port locally this weekend. Because the Reds and Padres are playing at the same time, service members from each ship will be at Sunday’s game in their own sections.

After BP, each player signed the caps, and they will be auctioned with sale proceeds going to the Reds Community Fund.