Hamilton Steals 4, Gets 3 Hits, Scores 3 As Reds Top Pirates

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PITTSBURGH (AP) - Major league steals leader Billy Hamilton swiped four bases, got three hits and scored three runs, leading the Cincinnati Reds over the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3 Sunday.

Hamilton helped the Reds avoid a series sweep with his bat and legs. The center fielder with 43 stolen bases this season also made a leaping, backhanded catch that drew applause from the Pittsburgh fans at PNC Park.

Dan Straily (7-6) gave up two earned runs and three hits in six innings, walking none and striking out four. The Reds have won in each of his past four appearances since Straily lost four consecutive decisions.

Straily got through the first four innings with 41 pitches, 32 for strikes.

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Straily didn't allow a hit until Matt Joyce hit a 442-foot homer in the fifth. Josh Harrison later homered off Straily.

Gerrit Cole (7-7) fell to 0-6 lifetime against the Reds. He left in the sixth, giving up four runs on three hits and three walks.

Cole allowed more than three earned runs for the third time in 17 starts this season.

Hamilton got the Reds off to a fast start, drawing a leadoff walk and then stealing two bases. That set up an RBI grounder by and a run-scoring single by Brandon Phillips.

Hamilton doubled in the third, again stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Joey Votto.

Later, Eric Fryer hit a ball to deep center that turned around Hamilton twice before he recovered to make the catch.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates: 3B David Freese did not play Sunday, a day after leaving the game because of discomfort in his left elbow.

UP NEXT

Reds: Rookie LHP Cody Reed (0-6, 7.30) will try to earn his first major league victory when he starts Monday at St. Louis.

Pirates: RHP Chad Kuhl (1-0, 4.19) will make his first start for Pittsburgh since July 17 on Tuesday, when he faces the San Diego Padres at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh