*Photo from the Cincinnati Enquirer*
Cincinnati Reds infielder Jonathan India has been having a season worthy of the NL rookie of the year. He continued his strong season. India homered, Nick Castellanos homered, and the Reds defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 on Thursday.
Asked about winning rookie of the year, India said "It’s definitely in my reach, of course. I don’t think I feel personal accolades. That was definitely my goal at the beginning of the year. I did say it and I definitely wanted to win Rookie of the Year, but I just want to win. I want to win for the team. I want to get to the playoffs, and we’re going to make a run. That’s my goal. If it happens, it happens."
India's main competition in the rookie of the year race is Marlins reliever Trevor Rogers, Cubs infielder Patrick Wisdom, and fellow Reds teammates Tyler Stephenson and Vladimir Gutierrez. But his .275 average with 17 homers and 59 RBI, with an .852 OPS in 118 games likely makes him the front runner.
In the first inning, India scored on a sac fly from Joey Votto, and the Reds were ahead 1-0 early. In the 5th inning, India cranked a 3 run home run that effectively sealed the game, making it a 4-0 lead for the Reds. An inning later, Castellanos followed with a solo homer to make it 5-0. In the 7th, Luis Urias gave the Brewers a run with a solo homer, but it was too little too late.
Castellanos said of India's homer that "I kind of knew he was this good just from talking and hanging out with him in the beginning of the year. I would say what stands out to me the most, if I learned anything new, is just how tough he is. He doesn’t want to come out of the game for anything."
Sonny Gray threw 6 innings to get the win for the Reds, allowing no runs on 3 hits and two walks, striking out 6 hitters, improving to 6-6 on the season. Justin Wilson picked up hold number 4 of the season with a scoreless inning of relief. Tony Santillan was responsible for the run by Milwaukee. Michael Lorenzen and Mychal Givens pitched in relief.
Brett Anderson was limited to just 4 innings for the Brewers, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and two walks, striking out 3 hitters, taking the loss to drop to 4-8 on the season. Hunter Strickland and Brent Suter were the other pitchers to give up runs to the Reds. Daniel Norris and Hoby Milner threw scoreless innings in relief.
Brewers manager Craig Counsell said "We're in good shape. We just took two out of three again. We won another series. The consistent play continues. Challenges, we’re going to face them. You don’t plan on challenges, but you know they’re coming. The injury thing is one little one."
The Reds travel to Miami to face the Marlins Friday night, with Wade Miley starting the series opening game. The Brewers face the Twins, with Eric Lauer getting the start.
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