Reds strike first, in the sixth

St. Louis Cardinals' Stephen Piscotty runs around the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.comJoey Votto's double to Busch Stadium's right field corner gave the Cincinnati Reds a 1-0 lead over the Cardinals in Friday night's sixth inning.

Votto drove in Billy Hamilton on the first pitch he saw from Cardinals starter Mike Leake. Hamilton was in position to take advantage, thanks to his knack for beating Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina on the basepaths. After singling to left field to lead off the inning,…