Votto hits 3 of Reds' 5 homers to power past Philly
CINCINNATI -- Joey Votto walloped three home runs on Tuesday night to lead the Reds to an 11-2 victory over the Phillies and secure the three-game series at Great American Ball Park.
Votto finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs. It was his third career three-home run game -- joining Johnny Bench as the only Reds to accomplish that feat -- and his second multi-homer game of the season.
"It's very cliche to say it, but any time you're alongside a name like that, it's an honor, it's meaningful," Votto said.
The Reds generated plenty of offense off Phillies starter Aaron Harang for a second straight week. This time, Harang gave up a season-high seven earned runs on seven hits in six innings. Harang also gave up four of Cincinnati's five home runs, which matched his season total of home runs allowed.
Anthony DeSclafani held the Phillies to only two runs, despite giving up 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings. The rookie right-hander picked up his third straight win and improved to 5-4 on the season with a 3.53 ERA.
Video: PHI@CIN: DeSclafani fans seven in 6 1/3 innings
The Phillies have lost 14 of 18 to fall 16 games below .500 (22-38).
"We got off to a rough start in this one," Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg said. "We need to play solid games and put some games together."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Votto's trio: Votto hit two solo shots and a two-run homer. He first hit a pair of solo home runs in the third and fifth inning off Harang -- his first sparking a back-to-back effort with Todd Frazier, who followed with his 17th long ball. He finished with a two-run homer to deep right field in the seventh off Dustin McGowan, giving him 13 home runs on the season.
"Boy he had a great game," Reds manager Bryan Price said of Votto. "Really set the table in the first inning by getting the walk. Brandon [Phillips] and Joey each getting the game going with two walks and sets the stage for [Jay Bruce's] hit, an RBI, and [Zack] Cozart with the three-run homer, which gave us a nice early cushion."More >
Video: PHI@CIN: Votto, Frazier hit back-to-back homers
Cozart goes deep in back-to-back nights: For a second straight night, the Reds got the bats going early with help from Zack Cozart. With runners on second and third, Cozart hit one just over the left-field wall to give the Reds a 4-0 lead in the first inning. The three-run homer was Cozart's ninth of the season.
Video: PHI@CIN: Cozart drives a three-run shot off Harang
Phillips injured: Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips was removed at the beginning of the third inning with a strained left groin. Phillips appeared to have injured the groin when he slid into third base in the bottom of the first. He returned to the field and batted again in the second inning, grimacing as he exited the batter's box on a flyout, before being taken out to begin the third.
"It's just a mild groin strain," Price said. "The reason we got him out, really, was those things, when they get -- it's kind of like an oblique, if it gets to the point where it's really compromised, it can be a much longer recovery time."More >
Video: PHI@CIN: Phillips exits game in the 3rd after injury
Franco's on fire: Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco continued his torrid June with a double to left leading off the second inning. Franco, batting .469 (15-for-32) with five doubles and four home runs since June 2, later scored on a two-out single by Carlos Ruiz. He finished 2-for-3.
Video: PHI@CIN: Franco doubles to lead off the 2nd
REPLAY CONFIRMS VOTTO HOMER
Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg appealed Votto's fifth-inning home run off Harang, suggesting fan interference. The ball dropped between the hands of a fan reaching out from his seat in left field. The replay official reviewed the play and confirmed the call, saying the ball would have been out anyway, after a 1-minute, 25-second review.
Video: PHI@CIN: Votto hits his second homer off Harang
EJECTION
Bruce was ejected in the third inning after he voiced his displeasure with a called strike three from home-plate umpire Adam Hamari.
Bruce was noticeably not happy after making the second out, and he had made it all the way to the dugout before Hamari tossed him.
It was the first time since June 19, 2008, that Bruce had been ejected. The ejection combined with Phillips' injury left the Reds with only catcher Tucker Barnhart and an injured Billy Hamilton on the bench.
Video: PHI@CIN: Bruce gets ejected after striking out in 3rd
QUOTABLE
"The first-inning walks killed me. That's what got me. I was too tentative, picking at the corners." -- Harang
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Harang's ERA jumped 59 points (2.45 to 3.04), but his batting average jumped 76 points (.091 to .167), thanks to singles in both of his at-bats.
WHAT'S NEXT
Phillies: Jerome Williams will try to pick up his second win since April 26 in Wednesday's 12:35 p.m. ET finale vs. the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Williams' only victory in his last eight starts was May 16 vs. Arizona..
Reds: Jon Moscot will make his second career start. Moscot was roughed up early on in his Major League debut last week, but retired the final 11 of 12 batters he faced.
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