Duvall makes splash with HR in first Reds AB

CHICAGO -- Adam Duvall introduced himself to the Reds in dynamic fashion.

Duvall hit a go-ahead, pinch-hit two-run homer in the sixth inning during his first at-bat with the Reds in Monday's 13-6 win over the Cubs. Reliever Justin Grimm hung a 2-2 curveball.

"The first pitch, I was swinging for a fastball and he threw me a curveball in the dirt," Duvall said. "I guess it bought me a couple of more curveballs with that swing. He ended up leaving one up and I was able to get to it."

The Reds added Duvall to what had been a depleted bench earlier in the day, when the infielder/outfielder was recalled from Triple-A Louisville. Duvall took the roster spot of reserve outfielder Brennan Boesch, who went on the 15-day disabled list after he hadn't played since Aug. 22 because of a contusion on his right ankle.

Duvall, who will turn 27 on Friday, was acquired from the Giants, along with pitching prospect Keury Mella, in the July 30 trade for pitcher Mike Leake.

"I'm excited to be here at this moment. I'm just trying to make the most of it with an new team," Duvall said.

Video: Adam Duvall talks about joining the Reds

He definitely achieved that goal out of the gate. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last player to homer in his first-ever plate appearance as a Red was Ryan Jorgensen on Aug. 15, 2007, also at Wrigley Field.

On June 26, 2014, Duvall also made a splash in his Major League debut. In his third at-bat for the Giants that day, he hit a home run vs. the Reds. The pitcher was Leake, the guy he would eventually be traded for.

"I wish I could do that every day," Duvall said. "There's something about the first day, I guess. I'm amped up and excited. It's a pretty cool thing."

In 125 games combined for Louisville and Triple-A Sacramento, Duvall was batting .264/.312/.511, with 30 home runs and 87 RBIs. Since the trade, he batted .189 with four homers for Louisville. Duvall also played college baseball for the University of Louisville before being taken by San Francisco in the 11th round of the 2010 Draft.

"It's been good. That's my hometown so I was excited to get home and see some friends and family and play in front of all of them," Duvall said of playing professionally in Louisville.

Duvall spent 28 games in the big leagues with the Giants last season, batting .192 with three homers and five RBIs.

"His numbers playing for the Giants' Triple-A team were tremendous," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He's a power hitter. He's a guy that can hit some home runs and some doubles and plays a few different positions. He's been introduced to the outfield so he's played some left field in Triple-A."

Duvall has primarily played first base and third base but the Reds are locked in at both spots with Joey Votto and Todd Frazier.

"There's not going to be a ton of at-bats at that position," Price said. "But I can find ways to get him some at-bats as a pinch-hitter and potentially play a little bit of outfield while he's here, and maybe a periodic spot start every now and again in a corner infield spot."