VIDEO: Reds' Leake hits 1st pitcher HR of 2015

The Cincinnati Reds don't need a designated hitter. They have Mike Leake.

Leake hit the first home run by a pitcher of the season Thursday when he connected on the second of back-to-back blasts in the seventh inning off Atlanta Braves right-hander Shelby Miller. 

The Reds starter followed up Tucker Barnhart's leadoff homer to begin the frame by hammering a 2-1 fastball to center for his fifth career long ball. Leake's homer - measured at 407 feet with a batted ball velocity of 104 mph - extended Cincinnati's lead to 3-0.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

The right-hander was just as effective on the mound, tossing eight scoreless, two-hit innings in the Reds' 5-1 win.

Leake hit two homers last season after failing to go deep in 2013. His first career homer - a solo shot off Mike Minor in 2012 - was also against the Braves.