Votto belts homer in Reds’ win over Tribe

Joey Votto hit a two-run, go-ahead homer, Nick Castellanos also connected and the Reds beat Cleveland 3-2 Monday night in Cincinnati as the Indians played again without ill manager Terry Francona.

Sonny Gray (3-0) shook off a tough start to the game to complete six strong innings, and Cincinnati ended a six-game home losing streak against the Indians.

Votto snapped an 0-for-11 skid when he followed Shogo Akiyama’s leadoff single in the sixth with a nodoubt shot off Zach Plesac (0-1). Votto sat out a doubleheader Sunday after self-reporting coronavirus symptoms, but he was cleared to return to the lineup Monday and hit his third homer following a negative test.

“Yesterday was fun,” Votto said. “I came back to Cincinnati, was able to watch the game, was able to cheer on the team, and unfortunately I wasn’t able to be out there . ... Just glad to be part of a win today.”

Votto’s homer came on a full count after Plesac made six pickoff attempts.

“He lost a little concentration,” acting manager Sandy Alomar said. “He got a little pick happy. It happens sometimes. He’s got to focus more on the hitter. He did a pretty good job. If we score some runs, it’s a perfect outing.”

Votto’s homer was the 287th of his career, tying Hall of Famer Tony Perez for third in team history.

Francona missed his second straight game and the first of four straight Reds-indians games while dealing in Cleveland with a gastrointestinal condition not believed to be connected to COVID-19. First base and catching Alomar managed in Francona’s absence.

The series shifts on Wednesday to Cleveland for the final two games.

Braves’ Soroka out for season with torn Achilles tendon

The Atlanta Braves placed righthander Mike Soroka on the 45-day injured list following his season-ending torn right Achilles tendon.

Soroka had to be helped off the field after suffering his injury in Monday night’s loss to the New York Mets.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos said Soroka is expected to have surgery within a week. There was no timetable given for his return.

Angels’ Ohtani strains arm, won’t throw for four to six weeks

Shohei Ohtani has a right forearm strain that will prevent the Los Angeles Angels’ two-way star from throwing for at least four to six weeks, possibly ending his season as a pitcher after just two starts.

The right-hander reported discomfort in his arm Sunday after he issued five walks and got only five outs in a rough 50-pitch start against Houston.