Billy Hamilton Dropped To Eighth Jay Bruce To Seventh

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Billly Hamilton's mother had him set the table for dinner when he was younger.  The Reds asked the 24-year old with four full seasons, one in Triple A, of professional experience to do the same thing for the Reds offense.

"It's been said that however Billy goes we go," Bryan Price said Sunday morning. "It really shouldn't be that way.  When we go its because we all go as a team."

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Price talked to Hamilton this morning and told him that he would be batting eighth in the foreseeable future, at least until he gets as comfortable in the batter's box as he is on base.

"It's like we are doing sorting out our bullpen," Price said. "We haven't gotten off to the start we'd like to offensively, so we have to try to do that.  It isn't all on Billy. We've asked a lot bringing him up from Triple A."

Hamilton is hitting .212 with 29 hits and 10 walks. His On-base-percentage is a skimpy .264. The National League average is .317.

The fleet native of Collins, Mississippi has managed to steal 17 bases in 19 tries.

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"We are going to put guys that get on base at a higher rate at the top of the lineup so the middle of our lineup can drive them in," Price said. "Zack Cozart will lead off and Brayan  Pena will bat second. Someday that is going to be Billy."

Price made an important caveat in this lineup change.

"I think Billy will be an outstanding leadoff man once he gets used to handling pitches at this level," Price said."We are going to take some of the pressure off him for awhile."

Jay Bruce has been dropped to seventh for much the same reason. Bruce had two hits, including his sixth home run against the Giants on Saturday.

"He has had three or four when he put the outfielder against the wall the last few games," Price said. "One would have been a grand slam against Lincecum on Thursday. You guys have been covering the team longer than I've been here. You know how he can catch fire.'

Hamilton may have been disappointed but said all the right things about the move.

"“My confidence is still here," Hamilton said. "The reason (Price) gave me is what I wanted to hear. I’m just going to try to get better. When I start getting right, I can move back up in the order when the timing’s right”.

Hamilton may have tried to do more than he was capable as a leadoff hitter.

“It’s tough being a leadoff hitter. It comes with a lot of things. You have to take pitchers, work the count. In the 8th spot you can just play. Might get better pitches to hit now," Hamilton said.. “I’m not getting on base enough to be a leadoff hitter”.

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