Reds win longball battle versus Brewers

Billy Hamilton does not have a home-run trot. He flew around the bases after lining the ball to right-center field. He didn’t slow as he rounded third. He didn’t pause as he crossed home plate.

Hamilton does everything fast, and his solo shot in the first inning Tuesday set the tone for the Cincinnati Reds in an 8-6 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park.

“The guys are like, ‘Slow down; enjoy it,’ ” Hamilton said. “I’m like, ‘No, because if (the fans) reach over or something, they might try to call it a double. I’ve got to keep rolling.’ ”

NOTES: Cozart could return soon

This was Hamilton’s second home run of the season and the 15th of his career. He had plenty of company in the box score in this game.

The Reds hit four home runs. The Brewers hit three. It was the 22nd game with at least seven home runs in Great American Ball Park history.

The Reds (32-44) needed it. They won for the third time in the last 18 games and beat the first-place Brewers for the second time in eight tries. Milwaukee (41-38) leads the National League Central Division by a game over the Chicago Cubs. The last-place Reds sit 7½ games back.

“Every win we can get is going to be big for us,” Hamilton said. “We’ve been through some ups and downs this year. We win some and then go on a losing streak. We’ve just got to keep working hard as a team and keep playing together. I feel like we’re right there. We just need to keep getting better.”

PHOTOS: Reds vs. Brewers

Here’s a recap of the other six home runs:

• Adam Duvall hit a two-run home run in the first. Duvall has 17 home runs. He’s one of five Reds with double-digit homers.

• The Brewers hit the next three home runs, rallying from a 4-0 deficit. Catcher Manny Pina hit the first, his fifth of the season, in the second inning.

• Orlando Arcia hit a solo shot in the second. It was his sixth home run.

RELATED: Finnegan heartbroken after latest injury

• Travis Shaw, a Washington Court House native who is the son of former Reds closer Jeff Shaw, hit a three-run home run in the third.

• Shaw’s home run gave the Brewers a 5-4 lead, but the Reds’ Eugenio Suarez tied it with a solo home run in the same inning.

• In the fifth, Joey Votto gave the Reds a 7-5 lead with a two-run home run. He broke a tie with Scott Schebler for the team lead with his 21st.

Votto, Duvall and Scott Schebler entered the game on pace to hit 120 home runs. That would be the club record for a trio of players. Johnny Bench (45), Tony Perez (40) and Lee May (34) combined for 119 in 1970.


WEDNESDAY’S GAME

Brewers at Reds, 7:10 p.m., FS Ohio, 700, 1410

About the Author