Votto slugs his longest HR in Statcast era

May 3rd, 2017

CINCINNATI -- When Reds first baseman Joey Votto connected against Pirates pitcher on a fastball over the middle of the plate on Tuesday, all center fielder could do was take a few casual steps and watch the ball leave the field.
There was no doubt that Votto had a three-run homer, the only real highlight in the Reds' 12-3 loss to the Pirates. The monstrous drive, which came on a 94-mph, 0-1 fastball from Glasnow, left the bat at 103 mph and then struck the top of the batter's eye in center field. According to Statcast™, it was a 449-foot shot.
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That was the longest-measured homer Votto has hit since Statcast™ began tracking them in 2015. It surpassed his previous deepest shot, achieved on Sept. 19, 2015, vs. the Brewers and pitcher .
"I elevated a fastball to Votto and he did what he does. He's a good hitter," Glasnow said.
In his last 14 games since April 16, Votto is batting .320 with six home runs and 16 RBIs.
Although Votto is starting to come on lately after a slow start, his power is not giving the Reds much help lately. Cincinnati, which is 12-14 overall this season, is 3-6 in games when Votto homers. That includes dropping each of the last five games when he has gone deep.
Following Votto's homer -- which gave him a team-leading nine, to go with a .253 average -- the Reds threatened Glasnow further when followed with a walk. Ultimately, they left runners stranded on the corners.
"We weren't able to come up with that second blow that might have been the difference-maker," Reds manager Bryan Price said.