Reds' Hamilton becomes 1st player to 40 stolen bases with 4-steal effort

Billy Hamilton is running his way to the record books, one steal at a time.

The Cincinnati Reds speedster is just two stolen bases shy of the franchise record for most steals at the All-Star break after swiping four bags in five innings against the Minnesota Twins on Monday.

Hamilton, who reached base in each of his first four plate appearances on a pair of infield singles and two walks, stole two bags in the second and one each in the third and fifth innings to become the first player in the majors with 40 steals this season. Eric Davis holds the club record for most during the first half after swiping 42 bags in 1986, en route to a career-high 80 stolen bases.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

"That's fun, that's always fun," Hamilton told reporters after the Reds' 11-7 win. "Even though you don't get as many hits as you'd want. I came up (with) two hits and there was more out there to get ... but four stolen bases gets my confidence where I need it to be."

Hamilton's third-base steal in the second inning improved him to 12-for-12 on third-base attempts - no player has more than six such stolen bases this year, according to ESPN Stats & Info. Other notables include:

• Since June 14, Hamilton has as many steals (14) as the Los Angeles Dodgers have all season

• It's his second four-steal effort of the year - Dee Gordon the only other player to accomplish the feat

• Hamilton's 40 stolen bases are more than 15 teams

Earlier this month, Hamilton became the first player to swipe five bags in a game since Jacoby Ellsbury on May 30, 2013. The Reds center fielder is now 40-for-46 on steal attempts this season.