Reds 5 Rockies 4
Hey Joey Votto, welcome freakin back! Yes, you do still bang! What a return.
The 39-year old first baseman homered in his second at-bat and delivered a bases loaded go-ahead two-run single in the 6th inning as the Reds extended their winning streak to nine games with a 5-4 win over the Rockies Monday night at GABP. And, oh by the way, the Brewers lost so the Reds have taken over sole possession of 1st place in the NL Central.
Alexis Diaz slammed the door in the 9th after allowing back to back singles to put runners on the corners with nobody out. He got a strikeout, strikeout and a groundout to end it.
The Reds led 3-1 into the 6th when the Rockies sent nine to the plate and scored three times. Alex Young walked Mike Moustakas with the bases loaded to give the Rockies a 4-3 lead. But Votto's two run single in the bottom of the 6th put the Reds ahead for good.
Votto: 2 for 3, BB, 3 RBI. He got a standing ovation in his first AB and tipped his helmet to the crowd. It was very cool of the home plate umpire Alex Tosi and Rockies catcher Jorge Alfaro to recognize and extend the moment. The ump waived off the pitch clock counter. Jorge Alfaro stood up from his crouch and walked towards the mound. He was playing in his first game since August 16, 2022.
1st AB: Line out to CF (104.4 mph) .....hit harder than Newman, Senzel HRs.
2nd AB: HR to RF (102 mph). Following the homer, he donned the Viking helmet and cape and took a curtain call from a GABP crowd he'd sent into a frenzy.
3rd AB: Trailing 4-3 in the 6th with the bases loaded, he lined a two-run single up the middle to give the Reds a 5-4 lead. Chants of 'Joey, Joey" broke out.
At 108.7 mph, it was the hardest hit ball in the game, by any hitter.
4th AB: Walk. Pinch run for.
Brandon Williamson: 5.0+ IN, 6 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 86 pitches/59 strikes. Leading 3-1 in the 6th, back-to-back singles to open the inning ended his night. The bullpen allowed both his runners to score.
Elly: 1 for 4...GO, K, infield 1B, GO.
Leading man: Kevin Newman led off the game with a HR. He entered the night hitting. 319 over his last 21 games.
Left is alright: Nick Senzel homered vs LHP Austin Gomber. He started the night hitting .467 vs LHP this season.
Bullpen: Buck Farmer 0.2 IN, R + both inherited runner to scored..... Alex Young 0.1 IN, walked in inherited runner....Fernando Cruz 1.0 IN, 0 R.....Lucas Sims 1.0 IN, 0 R....Alexis Diaz 1.0 IN, save No. 19 and 24 in a row.
Quote of the night: "You've got a pretty good lineup if Tyler Stephenson is batting 8th."-The Cowboy
Steal away: The Reds stole two more bases, one each for Steer and Fraley. The Reds have a steal in nine consecutive games.
How the Reds scored:
1st: Newman HR...390 feet (3), 1-0 Reds
2nd: Senzel HR...415 feet (5), 2-0 Reds
3rd: Votto HR...381 feet (1)...career HR No. 343....3-1 Reds
6th: Votto two-run single, 5-4 Reds
Photo: Getty Images