There's nothing like a series at Coors Field to bring the bats back to life.
With the Cincinnati Reds nursing a one-run lead in the ninth-inning of a rollercoaster game, Jonathan India launched a grand slam to left field, effectively slamming the door shut against the Rockies in a comeback win.
After trailing for much of the contest, the hit capped off a six-run inning, and the Reds left their three-game trip to Colorado with a 12-7 win and a much-needed series sweep.
Jonathan India launches home-run against Rockies
Jonathan India grand slam the latest big hit for Reds' infielder
It's the latest big game for India, who has been on a torrid stretch in the last several weeks, climbing out of a rut by raising his batting average from .220 to .242 in the last 10 games alone.
In that time, he's notched 11 hits, nine RBIs, and eight runs scored.
Over the past 15 games, India is hitting .315, and over the last seven, he's blasting pitchers for a .429 average.
Trivia tidbit: India is 4-for-5 with the bases loaded this year. He also has four grand slams in his career, two of which have now come in the last three weeks.
Don't expect him to stay pinned down in the eight-hole for long if that pattern continues.
The surge in production has been exactly what the doctor ordered for Cincinnati, who is inching closer and closer to a .500 record after enduring a 9-18 record in May.
That followed winning records in both the prior two months, but May was bad enough to send Cincinnati spiraling down tot he bottom of the National League Central.
With such a young team across the board, India's four years makes him an unlikely de facto veteran for the Reds.
As such, they need his leadership. But having his bat is a welcome change.
With a 4-1 start to the month of June, perhaps this staggering production from India is exactly what's needed for the Reds to find that fire once again.
What about Jonathan India's contract?
Not quite a full year ago, India's contract was a point of hot debate in Cincinnati.
With the development and production of star infielders like Elly De La Cruz and Matt McClain, plus a plantar fasciitis injury plaguing India, the second baseman went from being a regular producer to a point of trade discussion in what seemed like a matter of months.
Though that discussion continued into the offseason, the Reds put that topic to bed by signing India to a two-year, $8.8 million contract before this year began.
India is earning $3.8 million this year and is set to make $5 million next season, though the contract can earn just north of $2 million in escalators and incentives based on plate appearances or games started next season as well.
The Reds didn't know it at the time, but the decision to cement India as a Red would pay immediate dividends before the season even got underway.
Though De La Cruz stole headlines with his electric play last season, fellow rookie Matt McClain, another infielder, quietly outperformed his young co-star.
McClain, though, suffered a left shoulder injury in spring training while diving for a groundball in practice, and the Reds have only recently suggested he could return some time in August.
In the meantime, India's bat -- especially recently -- has been helpful, if not a necessary stop-gap for the Reds' offense.
And even when McClain returns, you can never have too many hot bats. For the Reds, it's a welcome problem to have. After all, that's what a designated hitter is for.
HS coach Carm Mazza shares fond stories of India's days as a Stallion
India is no stranger to performing on big stages. He's been doing it his whole life.
His high school coach Carm Mazza knows that better than anyone.
Before India had a stellar career with the Florida Gators, he was a standout at American Heritage-Delray.
Mazza, who still has dinner once a year with India at his house and follows the Reds second baseman throughout the year, knew from the get-go that he was going to a young star.
"In high school, you just knew you had something special in front of you," Mazza said. "He did things and the baseball IQ was kind of off the charts."
There was an instance Mazza described in a 2014 regional playoff game where India and Mazza both noticed the opposing catcher dropping to his knees -- and India asked if he had the green light to steal home.
Not yet, Mazza said -- the coach wanted to keep that play in their back pocket for later on.
After a late lead slipped and the Stallions found themselves with the bases loaded in extra innings, it was time.
"The guy walked," Mazza said, "He comes with the biggest smile jogging from second to third, going 'game over, Coach. I've got this.' I said, 'alright, let's play it out and see.' He stole home and we won the game. He was just that kind of kid."
Mazza has seen some of the struggles India and the Reds have endured this season, but he calls India "a grinder," and he knew the pro was going to rebound sooner rather than later.
"He's coming out of it," Mazza said. "That's the thing. Everybody was like, 'oh, the guy's struggling, the guy's struggling.' And I was like, 'he's going to grind out of it. Watch. He's going to be okay.' He's just super talented. He's always found a way to make sure he's doing the job and doing it correctly and carrying himself well."
India will look to stay hot when the Reds return home today to begin a six-game homestand with a series against the Chicago Cubs.
