Former UK star AJ Reed hits first major-league homer

Former University of Kentucky star AJ Reed’s first career home run in the major leagues wasn’t enough for the Houston Astros on Saturday.

Reed, who snapped an 0-for-16 start to his career with a single on Friday night, belted a pinch-hit homer off Chicago White Sox closer David Robertson to make it 7-6 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. That became the final score when Robertson then struck out Colby Rasmus for his 22nd save, preserving Chicago ace Chris Sale’s 14th win of the season.

Reed, batting for second baseman Danny Worth, connected on a 91 mph cutter and drilled it over the fence in right-center at Houston’s Minute Maid Park. The solo homer was estimated to travel 414 feet.

Reed, the Astros’ second-round draft choice in 2014 and the Golden Spikes Award winner that same year, is batting .111 (2-for-18) in his rookie season.

This story was originally published July 2, 2016 at 9:08 PM with the headline "Former UK star AJ Reed hits first major-league homer."