a time for heroes

Three hits, two walks, four steals, two runs and an RBI. And his team won, in 13 innings. Billy Hamilton’s first career MLB start on Wednesday could not have gone much better. Playing center field and batting ninth, the ex-Taylorsville High star’s performance was a tour de force in Cincinnati’s 6-5 win at Houston. He is the first player in the live ball era (from 1920 on) to steal four bases in his first big league start and has tallied nine steals faster (in only eight games) than anybody in the modern era (since 1901). “Who knows what comes next?” Hamilton told mlb.com. Well, for one, a postseason roster spot seems assured now. The Reds are third in the National League Central, 2.5 games back of St. Louis but just a half-game behind stumbling Pittsburgh. Cincy hold a 5.5-game edge over Washington for the second wild card. … Meanwhile, at Tampa Bay, Itawamba Community College product Desmond Jennings was a walk-off hero in a huge win for the Rays. Jennings’ RBI single in the 12th inning beat Texas 4-3. Tampa Bay now leads the Rangers by a game atop the American League wild card standings. Jennings’ big hit was atonement for a misplay (not an error) earlier in the game that resulted in two Rangers runs. Jennings, though batting just .246, has 78 runs, 49 RBIs, 13 homers and 20 steals for a Rays club that has had offensive issues. … Atlanta reduced its magic number for clinching the NL East to 2 and dealt Washington a blow in its playoff quest with a 5-2 win. Former Mississippi Braves Jordan Schafer, Brian McCann, Alex Wood and, of course, Craig Kimbrel made noteworthy contributions. Kimbrel, coming off a shaky outing on Tuesday, worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 48th save in 52 chances. He has a 1.31 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP, 90 strikeouts and just 20 walks in 62 innings. That’s Cy Young-caliber stuff.