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Frazier in second spot for second game in row

PHOENIX -- For the fifth time this season and second game in a row, Reds third baseman Todd Frazier batted in the second spot behind leadoff hitter Billy Hamilton in the series opener at Arizona.

Frazier was 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Dodgers. He came in batting .294 (5-for-17) as the No. 2 hitter this season and .269/.341/.489 overall with a team-leading nine home runs and 27 RBIs.

"If we can get Billy on ahead of him, it does get him some rushed fastballs from guys really trying to be quick to the plate," Reds manager Bryan Price said on Thursday. "Anybody hitting second with Billy on base is going to get better pitches to hit. It just seems to be inevitable. The good part is Todd is taking advantage of some of those mistakes pitchers are making with Billy on base."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon.
Read More: Cincinnati Reds, Todd Frazier