Single snaps Bradley's lengthy hitless streak

CINCINNATI -- When Jackie Bradley Jr. got hugs in the dugout after a routine single on Wednesday, he started to realize the magnitude of the hitting drought he had just emerged from.

The last time Bradley got a hit before Wednesday, his roster of teammates still included Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes, John Lackey, Jake Peavy and Felix Doubront.

Yes, it had been a while.

Before his hard single to center in the second inning, Bradley was in an 0-for-35 drought and hadn't experienced the feeling of having a hit since July 25.

"A little bit of both -- embarrassing, annoying," said Bradley. "But as time goes on, you really can't worry about being embarrassed in this game. You play the game long enough, you go through a lot more than just that, so I just just tried to focus on game to game."

The single came in a game the Red Sox won, 5-4. Bradley went 1-for-3 on the day, and he reached base in the ninth when Aroldis Chapman drilled him on the right triceps.

In the clubhouse after the game, David Ortiz joked that if Chapman hit him, he would scream loud enough that they would have been able to hear him all the way back in Boston.

"It didn't feel bad, honestly," said Bradley. "I don't want him to try it again. It didn't hurt that bad -- now. Holler at me after the plane ride."