Reds' Hamilton terrorizes Lester en route to career-high 5 steals
Jon Lester isn't even trying to throw out would-be base stealers anymore. And considering his previous results, who could blame him?
Billy Hamilton and the fastest legs in baseball took advantage of Lester's pickoff phobia once again Sunday night with three steals in his first two plate appearances.
His exploits began in the third, when the Cincinnati Reds speedster singled off Lester and promptly stole second and third base during Brandon Phillips' at-bat to extend his league-leading total to 28.
Three innings later, Hamilton got decidedly more bold against the Chicago Cubs lefty after hitting a leadoff double to begin the frame.
David Ross had ZERO chance to throw out Billy Hamilton... pic.twitter.com/HEEajjNrTF
— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) June 15, 2015
Hamilton continued to own the basepaths in the 10th when he nearly single-handily stole his way to a Reds win. After walking in the second at-bat of the inning, Hamilton stole second and then third base for his personal-best fifth steal of the game and 100th of his career.
Hamilton, who went 53-for-79 in steal attempts last season, is an impressive 31-for-35 this year. He's the first player to swipe five bags in a game since Jacoby Ellsbury on May 30, 2013.
The Cubs escaped the jam and went on to collect their league-leading eighth walk-off win on Starlin Castro's RBI single in the 11th.