CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Billy Hamilton had a keepsake ball from his best all-around game. Hamilton hit his first career homer and Chris Heisey singled home the tiebreaking run in the sixth inning, sending the Cincinnati Reds past the Chicago Cubs 3-2 Tuesday night in a game delayed three times because of rain. The game started 19 minutes late. There was a 15-minute delay in the top of the fifth and a 1-hour, 11-minute delay in the bottom of the sixth. Hamiltons solo homer off Jeff Samardzija (0-3) tied it in the fifth. He also reached base by a walk and two infield singles, stole a base and made a diving catch in centre field. Of all those things, the home run was the most unexpected. "Its a good feeling for me," Hamilton said. "Thats not what I want to do, but sometimes, it happens." Zack Cozart tripled to right-centre with two outs in the sixth, and Heiseys pinch-hit single put the Reds ahead as heavy rain started to fall and the third rain delay followed. "I havent had a lot of opportunities lately, but I make it a point to stay ready," said Heisey, who is 4 for 10 with six RBIs off the bench. Alfredo Simon (4-1) gave up five hits, including Starlin Castros two-run single, before Heisey pinch-hit for him. Simon has filled in while Mat Latos recovers from knee surgery and a sore pitching forearm. "Im not surprised that hes been competitive," manager Bryan Price said. "Whats been surprising at times is how much of a shut-down pitcher hes been. Were happy that hes been presented with the opportunity and run with it. Hes been a key cog." Jonathan Broxton retired all three batters in the ninth for his fifth save in five chances. The Cubs have lost five of their last six games, falling to 8-17. The series opener on Monday was postponed because of rain and hasnt been rescheduled. The Reds have had seven rain delays in 11 home playing dates this season, with one game postponed and another suspended overnight. It was another solid but winless performance for Samardzija, who has not gotten a victory in his last 12 starts since Aug. 30. The Cubs havent scored while he was on the mound -- only 32 runs in those 12 starts. Samardzija was in line for a win in his last start, but the bullpen blew a 5-2 lead last Wednesday in a 7-5 loss to Arizona. Hamilton had his most productive game as Cincinnatis leadoff hitter. He scored twice, giving him 12 runs this season. "Every day I come in here, Im trying to do something good for the team, whether its a sacrifice fly or a stolen base or scoring a big run," Hamilton said. "It was fun today." Hamilton opened the first inning with a walk, stole second and took third on a wild pitch. Brandon Phillips sacrifice fly made it 1-0. Hamilton had an infield single in the third and was thrown out by catcher Welington Castillo, the fifth time in 15 attempts that hes been caught stealing this season. The Cubs loaded the bases in the third on singles by Emilio Bonifacio and Ryan Kalish and a walk to Anthony Rizzo. Castro singled up the middle on the first pitch for a 2-1 lead. Hamilton shortened to bunt twice in the fifth inning before hitting his first career homer to right field, tying it 2-all. Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney made the best defensive play of the game. He went up the middle to reach Ryan Ludwicks grounder in the fourth, got to the ball on the third base side of the bag and threw Ludwick out from the outfield grass. NOTES: Cubs manager Rick Renteria was ejected for arguing ball-and-strike calls in the bottom of the sixth. ... Renteria expects RHP Jake Arrieta to be activated and start on Saturday. Hes been sidelined by stiffness in his pitching shoulder. ... Reds closer Aroldis Chapman threw 25 pitches during batting practice. Hes expected to make his first rehabilitation appearance with Class-A Dayton on Thursday. Chapman had a plate inserted above his left eye to heal fractures from a line drive on March 19. He could be activated next week. . Bookies were offering odds of 13/1 before kickoff that the home team Houston Dynamo would prevail by three goals to nil. . His Chicago Blackhawks teammates werent shocked when he found it. Kanes career has been defined by his brilliance in the Blackhawks biggest moments, and his tiebreaking goal with 3:45 to play in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals will rank among the best.
http://www.customcubsjersey.com/custom- ... 1520n.html. Pironkova, who was ranked outside the top 100 despite reaching the Wimbledon semifinals in 2010, beat three top 10 players in Sydney, 2012 French Open finalist Sara Errani, 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and Kerber. . Al Horford said all he had to do was make the catch near the basket and then shoot a soft jumper. . Louis against the Blues. The Canucks picked up their second straight victory in the swings opener on Tuesday in Calgary before getting routed in Minnesota last night, 5-1.Lake Forest, IL - 2013 Heisman Trophy finalist Jordan Lynch is among nine undrafted rookies to agree to terms with the Chicago Bears, the team announced Sunday. The former Northern Illinois quarterback placed third in balloting for last years Heisman after becoming the first player in FBS history to throw for over 3,000 yards and rush for more than 1,500 in a season. Lynch also set an FBS rrecord for a quarterback by amassing 321 yards on the ground in a game against Western Michigan.dddddddddddd Chicago has listed Lynch, who measured just six feet at the scouting combine, as a running back in its official release. Linebacker Christian Jones, who helped Florida State to the 2013 BCS national championship, was also among the Bears college free agent additions. ' ' '
