Cincinnati Reds fans trembled when Jonathan India took a 98.9 mph cutter to the face from Emmanuel Clase. This was not because India was once a team favorite, but rather because less than a year ago, rookie Blake Dunn was hit in the head by a 101 mph pitch from Clase.
The resemblance of the two incidents brought back memories of a 2024 Reds season marred by injuries, but fortunately for Dunn, his helmet cracked but his bones were unharmed, and he was able to jog to first base in the ninth inning of a loss to the Cleveland Guardians last June. Despite passing a concussion check, Dunn was demoted to Triple-A after the game, and ironically, he would be beaned again in his first game back with Louisville.
The eerie similarities between Jonathan India’s scary HBP and Blake Dunn’s shake Reds fans
The multiple hit-by-pitches seem to have lit a fire under Dunn, who went on a seven-game hit streak and produced a .263 average after his first game back in Triple-A. Just as he got hot, though, he was hit in the head again and went on the IL with a laceration on the left side of his face.
Just like he shook off Clase’s four-seamer, Dunn is now attempting to shrug off his skeptics. Manager Terry Francona is one of his admirers, and he won a spot on the Reds’ Opening Day roster. Dunn began the series finale against the San Francisco Giants in center field with left-hander Robbie Ray on the mound and has been utilized as a defensive substitution for Gavin Lux in left in late innings.
Likewise, the day after being struck by Clase, India immediately returned to the action.
He opened the game for the Kansas City Royals against the Milwaukee Brewers (at third base) and singled first to start a three-run first inning.
Despite the unfortunate and controversial end to India’s stay in Cincinnati, Reds supporters and baseball enthusiasts in general will be relieved to escape another catastrophe brought on by Clase.
