With two runners on base during the bottom of the sixth inning Wednesday, Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen was just trying to lay down a bunt.
He nearly struck out, falling to the dirt and losing his helmet after an inside, two-strike pitch deflected off his bat. He originally squared to bunt, then pulled his bat back.
Given the green light to swing, Lorenzen crushed a three-run homer to left field. As soon as Lorenzen saw where the ball was headed, he skipped out of the batter’s box and flipped his bat. He shouted once he rounded first base and clapped his hands at home plate before slapping hands with his teammates.