Senzel turns tables with HR after robbery

CINCINNATI -- This time, Nick Senzel was not going to be denied.

Two innings after being robbed of his first career home run by Kevin Pillar, Senzel sent an 0-1 four-seam fastball from Giants right-hander Dereck Rodriquez into the right-center-field stands in the fifth inning of the Reds’ 9-2 victory on Saturday at Great American Ball Park.

“The kid that caught it, it was his birthday,” Senzel said. “He got a happy birthday ball [from me]. It was really neat to do that. I wanted to make sure to get that one.”

Senzel, 23, had his contract selected from Triple-A Louisville on Friday and collected his first career hit on an infield single in the ninth. He entered the season as the Reds’ top-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and he homered 28 times in 904 Minor League at-bats.

After two games, Senzel is 2-for-8 (.250) with one homer, one RBI and three walks. His on-base percentage is .455.

“He’s mature beyond his years, not just on the field but off the field too,” said Reds infielder/outfielder Derek Dietrich. “He’s an unbelievable hitter. He’s so professional the way he goes about his work and the way he handles his at-bats.”

Pillar, who denied Senzel his first career hit in the first inning on Friday with a diving catch, leaped above the wall in the third on Saturday to take away a home run from the Reds’ prized prospect.

“I was kind of speechless,” said Senzel, who added that both swings were on fastballs down the middle from Rodriguez. “He made a really good play. I thought I hit it better than that. I tip my cap.”

Senzel became the 18th Reds player since 1908 to homer in his first or second career game. The last Red to do it was Drew Stubbs -- also in his second career game -- on Aug. 20, 2009, against the Giants. He is the youngest Reds player to homer within his first two career games since Joey Votto in 2007.

“It’s such a great moment for him and to do it in Cincinnati,” said Reds manager David Bell. “Hopefully it’s the first of many.”