CANADIAN VOTTO STAYS THE HOTTEST SINCE BREAK

Cincinnati slugger Joey Votto continued his tremendous second half. Votto was 4-for-5 with two homers and four RBIs on Wednesday, including a two-run shot in the ninth inning against Atlanta closer Will Smith that forced the game to extra innings. The Braves beat the Reds 8-6 in 11 innings.

Since the All-Star break, and entering Thursday's games, Votto, from Toronto, leads the major leagues in home runs (14) and RBIs (32). He has 25 homers and 72 RBIs for the season and is 7-for-12 with two doubles, two homers, five RBIs and two walks in the first three games of the road trip.

“He's one of the greatest players I've been fortunate enough to suit it up with,” Cincinnati starter Wade Miley said afterwards. “It's incredible what a great baseball player he is. It's been fun to be part of it.”