With the Cincinnati Reds trailing the Washington Nationals 5-3 with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning in Sunday’s series finale at Great American Ball Park, Reds infielder Jonathan India stepped to the plate against Nats closer Kyle Finnegan.
With a 3-1 count, India fouled off the next five pitches, including one that appeared to be an infield single that rolled just foul.
On the 10th pitch of the at-bat, he smoked a double down the left-field line to keep the Reds’ slim hopes alive.
Will Benson’s game-tying home run and Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s walk-off home run never would’ve happened without India’s outstanding AB.
“Jonathan India – what an at-bat!” Bally Sports Ohio analyst and former Reds great Barry Larkin said after India’s double. “Really swinging the bat well, moving well, looks great. Another well-struck ball.”
Benson homered on the next pitch. Larkin explained the importance of India’s 10-pitch AB.
“We’ve talked about this team and how there’s no quit in them,” Larkin said. “Jonathan India’s at-bat – double-digit pitches. Fouls off with two strikes, hits a double down the left-field line to give Will Benson an opportunity. … As we’ve talked about, there’s been some great things that we have witnessed -“
Larkin was cut off by Encarnacion-Strand’s walk-off.
“You talk about a character builder,” Larkin added. “What this team is make of – you just saw it right there. I just have to give credit to Jonathan India. You know, extending that inning and just not giving in, and not giving up. It’s what this man is all about and what this team is all about. … This is a special, special team. And there is no give-up in them. And they’re gonna play to the last out. … The only way that Will Benson gets a chance is if Jonathan India grinds out that at-bat and gets himself on base.”
“What an amazing at-bat that was (by India),” Benson told Bally Sports Ohio’s Jim Day on the field after the game. “He did his job. He did his thing.”
Day asked Encarnacion-Strand about the Reds being “almost left for dead” and down to their last out.
“Almost doesn’t count,” Encarnacion-Strand told Day. “Almost doesn’t count. Especially with our team.”
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