Votto gets in General in Grand Slam act

Game called in seventh because of rain; today’s start pushed back.

CINCINNATI — Joey Votto ended his two-month homer drought with Cincinnati’s 11th grand slam — one shy of the NL record — and the Reds beat the San Diego Padres 7-2 on Saturday in a game called because of rain in the top of the seventh inning.

The game started an hour early because of a foreboding forecast and was played in a steady rain that intensified with one out in

the top of the seventh.

Votto connected off Robbie Erlin (3-6) during a seven-run second inning, his first homer since July 9 — the second-longest drought of his career. Votto had gone 36 games without a homer. He spent time on the disabled list with a sore knee during the span.

It was Votto’s second grand slam this season and the fourth of his career. Scott Schebler’s slam during a 12-6 win on Friday night set a franchise record of 10 in a season. The NL mark is 12 and the major league record is 14.

Erlin went three innings and gave up eight hits and seven runs, all in the second inning.

Matt Harvey (7-8) allowed Eric Hosmer’s two-run homer and escaped a bases-loaded threat in the fourth. He fanned 10 in six innings.

Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett was out of the lineup with a sore right thigh. He missed Thursday’s game and went 0 for 5 on Friday.

Today’s game was pushed back three hours to 4:10 p.m., when rain is forecast to ease.