Reds’ Billy Hamilton beats out ground-ball vs Cubs (video)

Today has been a day full of defensive struggles by a couple teams across the league, including my very own Chicago Cubs.

Now the Cubs were hoping to take the series against the Cincinnati Reds but were unable to do so. Cincinnati out muscled Chicago by the score of 8-2, winning the series two games to one. The Cubs well welcome in the Arizona Diamondbacks for a four game series beginning tomorrow before they hit the road and visit the Milwaukee Brewers and the Reds again.

Starting pitcher Carlos Villanueva took the mound today and was absolutely hammered. He gave up four runs off nine hits over four and two-third innings of work as he was handed the loss. Villanueva beat out Chris Rusin for the final spot in the starting rotation, but could be in jeopardy of losing that spot very soon.

With Reds’ outfielder Billy Hamilton up at the plate, Villanueva got Hamilton to line a routine ground-ball to first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo was waiting for Villanueva to run towards the bag, but it didn’t work out that way.

Hamilton hustled down the line as both Villanueva and Rizzo tried to figure out who was going to make the out, reaching the bag safely before a play was made.

Pitchers usually race over to first to make the out on a play like this. No idea what Carlos Villanueva was thinking. Here’s the video of Billy Hamilton hustling down the line.