Reds following Votto’s lead with aggressive baserunning

MILWAUKEE — Joey Votto on Monday launched a two-run home run to the second deck in right field, his third homer of the week and providing a couple of key insurance runs in a 10-2 win against the Milwaukee Brewers.

But Votto was more proud of what happened after his ninth-inning single.

After lining a pitch into right, the 37year-old Votto took an extra base when Brewers outfielder Avisaíl García fired a throw over the cutoff man as Tyler Stephenson stopped at third. Eugenio Suárez followed with a bloop single, allowing Votto to easily score from second base and give the Reds a six-run lead.

Votto said later that he has had conversations with teammates Nick Castellanos, Tyler Naquin and Jonathan India about “how infectious their baserunning style is, and how I feed off of it and how their teammates feed off of it,” he said.

He cited an instance in recent days when Jesse Winker turned a ground ball into a double after a conversation with Castellanos.

“If Nick didn't have his arm around him and build a relationship with him, maybe Jesse would have done that, but I'm going to pretend that never would have happened,” Votto said. “That's sort of general culture we have.”

The Reds have been rewarded for their hustle. Castellanos prevented an inning-ending double play in the second inning Monday on a one-hopper to second base, hustling down the line and allowing a run to score on the fielder's choice.

Winker and Castellanos hustled out of the box against Milwaukee last week on ground balls that didn't leave the infield grass, Winking reached on an infield single and Castellanos on a throwing error as he sprinted down the firstbase line.

“It's been cool to see Joey give 100% effort,” Stephenson said. “You can cause pressure and cause a guy to hesitate because he sees you busting it down the line. It's hustle. It doesn't take a lot to do it.”

Votto watched the Reds play for a month when he was on the injured list with a broken thumb. Since returning last week, he's 7-for-25 at the plate with three homers and 12 RBI in seven games.

The Reds knew Votto returning would provide a boost to the lineup, but this is another level.

“I'm watching guys get better, and it's so fun to watch careers blossom,” Votto said. “Getting to watch it firsthand and share it with them is one of my favorite parts of my job.”

AARON GASH/AP Reds first baseman Joey Votto, right, is congratulated by Tyler Stephenson after his home run against Milwaukee on Monday night in Cincinnati's 10-2 win. Votto was more proud of his exploits on the bases.