Votto helps deliver series sweep
CINCINNATI — With all respect to Scooter Gennett, Joey Votto emphatically is showing that he is still The Man around the Cincinnati Reds.
It was vintage Votto at Great American Ball Park on Thursday afternoon. The first baseman went 4 for 4 with a two-run homer, leading the Reds to a 5-2 victory over the Cardinals and Cincinnati's first fourgame sweep of St. Louis since 2003.
Gennett made Reds history Tuesday with his four-home run game against the Cardinals. Since then, Gennett and most other Reds have watched their best player carry the club. Votto hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning Wednesday, a 6-4 win. He followed that Thursday with a hitting performance that boosted his batting average to .300 and his on-base percentage to .423.
Votto helped make a winner of right-hander Scott Feldman (5-4), who was masterful with seven scoreless innings.
"He's something else," Feldman said of Votto. "It's different than just seeing him once or twice every couple of years, when I was in the AL. You really appreciate how good he is. When he's hot, I don't know if there's anybody better."
Adam Duvall went 3 for 4. His fifth-inning double scored Votto for the game's first run. Gennett followed with an RBI single to right field that scored Duvall. Gennett then stole second base as catcher Yadier Molina threw high to center field, allowing Scott Schebler to score and make it 3-0.
In the sixth, Zack Cozart singled to reach base for the 30th consecutive game. Votto then hit a two-run homer to right center off reliever Tyler Lyons.
Votto was asked about facing Cardinals starter Mike Leake (5-5), a former Reds teammate.
"Mike's the type of guy, he's trying to keep you off balance," Votto said. "He's a challenging guy to barrel- up."
Feldman allowed only four hits, struck out four and walked none in his seven innings.
"He's got really good action," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He has deception, sink and cut on his fastball, changes speeds on the breaking ball, and angles. He has all the weaponry. The key, for me, is getting ahead in the count and commanding good pitches."