Nick Williams sat in the dugout for the first eight innings of Monday night’s 6-5 win over the Reds, finding a familiar spot on the bench after starting just three of the first nine games. The outfielder was waiting for an opportunity.
His chance came with two outs in the bottom of the eighth and Williams delivered.
Williams blasted a pinch-hit homer to right-center field at Citizens Bank Park to break a 5-5 tie. He worked a 3-0 count against Cincinnati righthander Kevin Quackenbush before pouncing on a 3-1 fastball.
Williams met with manager Gabe Kapler on Friday after airing his grievances about being left out of the lineup.