Home field key to offense's scorching start?

CINCINNATI -- One of the keys to the Reds’ success at scoring runs so far this season has been making better use of their home asset of Great American Ball Park.

Of the Major League-most 151 runs Cincinnati scored entering Tuesday, almost 77 percent of them (116 runs) have come at home -- an average of 7.7 runs per game. The Reds' home run total is more than the overall total of 10 clubs. On the road, they are 27th in runs and are averaging 2.92 runs per game.

“Both teams are playing in the same ballpark, so obviously, it’s very fair from that standpoint,” Reds manager David Bell said. “If anything, you are trying to build a team somewhat to your ballpark.”

Cincinnati's offense finished the 2020 season with a Major League-worst .212 average, but it lived and died by the home run like never before. The club had 61.1 percent of its runs coming via homers -- a record high for MLB. When the Reds couldn’t clear the fences, they didn’t seem to score.

Under hitting coach Alan Zinter and assistant hitting coach Joe Mather, Reds hitters have departed from the high-launch-angle approach that gained league-wide popularity in recent seasons.

“If anything, over the last year, we’ve focused on hitting more line drives and making solid contact as opposed to -- not that we ever went up there trying to hit home runs -- but I think there has just been more of a focus on that,” Bell said. “That leads me to believe that’s been a good approach, because when home runs happen, they usually just happen. You’re not trying to hit them necessarily. I’m more focused on our team and all that, but I know that we’re comfortable playing here. I know we really like playing here.”

The Reds are still hitting their home runs. Including five on Sunday, they lead the Majors with 33 home runs. Nick Castellanos came in tied for the MLB lead with nine homers. But Jesse Winker also came in leading the National League in hitting with a .365 average.

“I would say that everybody steps to the plate looking to do damage, not just to take a walk to get a single,” Castellanos said. “Everyone is out there to hit the ball hard and swing the bat with bad intentions.”

India watched and learned

Reds rookie second baseman Jonathan India was back in the starting lineup on Tuesday after not playing for an entire week. India, who was activated from the injured list on Sunday after an illness forced him out of two games, used the time off to learn.

“I took advantage of the time being out,” India said. “I was paying attention, learning a lot of stuff from the guys. I’m happy to be back. I want to get playing again. I’m excited for today and the next couple of games.”

India was struck on the head by a fastball from Cardinals right-hander Jack Flaherty on April 25. He played the next day in Los Angeles, but he was on the bench the following two games, although he suffered no ill-effects from being hit by the pitch.

“That’s not why he didn’t start those two games, but he did tell me yesterday or the day before that even in L.A., he felt something coming on,” Bell said. “It’s probably best, as it turned out, he didn’t play in those games. Now he’s back to full strength. He even came in and did a little work [Monday] just to be sure he was ready to go. It’ll be nice to have him back at full strength. While he was out, we missed him, but it created some opportunity to get Nick [Senzel] over at second base. Some good things happened. He’s already become a big part of our team, and it’ll be great to have him back.”

India, 24, got off to a hot start to his first season and was batting .476 with 10 RBIs over his first six games. He came in 6-for-46 since, and his overall numbers dropped to .239/.316/.358 with one home run and 14 RBIs.

“I noticed a lot of changes. I’ve just got to adjust and adapt. That’s what I’m doing. I’m learning as I go. That’s all I can do,” India said. “I get a lot of offspeed [pitches]; got a lot the second week. I don’t know. I guess it’s part of the game now. I have to adjust to it.”