CHICAGO -- One of baseball's best hitters today is a game away from equaling a record held by one of baseball's all-time best hitters.
With three walks in five plate appearances in the Reds' 2-1 win over the Cubs on Tuesday, Joey Votto extended his streak of reaching safely in a game at least twice to 20 games. Hall of Famer Ted Williams holds the modern Major League record (since 1900) of reaching twice or more in 21 straight games.
Williams did that for the Red Sox from May 31-June 24, 1948. Votto's 20-game streak equals Barry Bonds, who did it for the Giants in 2004, and Pete Rose's streak for the Phillies in 1979.
Facing Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks, Votto walked with one out in the first inning. He was called out on strikes in the fourth and walked with one out in the sixth.

Votto also worked a one-out walk in the eighth off right-hander Pedro Strop, coming around to score on Scooter Gennett's sacrifice fly to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.
While playing in all 120 games this season, Votto is batting .316/.448/.600 with 31 home runs and 83 RBIs. He leads the Majors in on-base percentage (.448), OPS (1.048) and walks (98).
During the streak that started on July 26, Votto has reached safely 55 times in 90 plate appearances for a .611 on-base percentage.