Hamilton’s move to leadoff pays off quickly

Three-run first inning spurs series-opening win as Reds keep rolling.

MLB REDS 6, DIAMONDBACKS 2

Bryan Price couldn’t ask for dividends any more immediate than what he enjoyed Friday night.

The Reds manager’s move of Billy Hamilton back into the leadoff slot sparked a three-run first inning, all on Joey Votto’s home run, and Tucker Barnhart added a solo homer as the Reds opened their three-game series against the Diamondbacks with a 6-2 win.

The Reds, the National League Central Division’s last-place team, improved to 5-2 on their ninegame homestand against Milwaukee, the Central’s fourth-place team, and Atlanta and Arizona, which occupy the bottom rungs in their respective divisions.

Cincinnati also snapped a fivegame losing streak against the Diamondbacks. The Reds had lost eight of their last 10 overall against Arizona and also had lost five straight, six of seven and seven of their last 10 against the Diamondbacks at Great American Ball Park.

Hamilton lined Archie Bradley’s (3-6) first pitch of the game to center field for a single, giving him a five-game hitting streak (9 for 22, .409). He stole second base, though he was called out, a decision overturned after a replay review. Former leadoff hitter Zack Cozart walked and Votto drove a 0-1 pitch the opposite way into the left field seats for his 17th home run.

Votto has at least one hit in each of Cincinnati’s first seven games since the All-Star break and is hitting .522 (12 for 23). The homer was his third in that stretch.

Dan Straily (5-6) got off to a shaky start but escaped without further damage and lasted six innings, allowing five hits and three walks with eight strikeouts, his second-highest total of the season.