Hamilton, Suarez blast 3-run homers in Reds' 7-2 win over Pirates
Channel: Jany Home
Date: 2017-05-04

Hamilton, Suarez blast 3-run homers in Reds' 7-2 win over Pirates

he infielders were drawn in, anticipating a play at home plate, when the baseball blasted off Billy Hamilton’s bat. Hamilton, the lightning-quick Cincinnati Reds leadoff hitter, connected with right-hander Jameson Taillon’s first-pitch fastball and sent it sailing into the Pirates bullpen at Great American Ball Park for a three-run home run.

Hamilton might have been forgiven if he had stood still and savored the shot. He did not. The most unexpected rocket in a 7-2 Reds win Wednesday was Hamilton’s first home run since June 28, and it ended the third-longest active homer-less streak in the majors at 319 at-bats.

Though this was Hamilton’s first home run in 60 games against the Pirates, he has been a nuisance — primarily on the base paths — for years. A .245 career hitter, Hamilton has batted .313 against the Pirates. He won Monday’s game with a walk-off, 10th-inning double.

“He continues to be more than a rock in our shoe,” manager Clint Hurdle said.