MILWAUKEE -- Joey Votto could not explain why Miller Park has become a hitting home away from home and didn't seem to be all that concerned that he has routinely tormented the Brewers.
The Brewers have certainly noticed, however. It was Votto's two-run home run off of starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann that set the pace for Cincinnati in a 6-1 victory that snapped a four-game losing streak.
"I hate him on the field, but off the field, man, you have to respect that guy. He is an unbelievable hitter," Jungmann said. "It really is fun to watch when you're not throwing against him. Just his approach, the pitches he fouls off that should be strike three. I went from 0-2 to a walk; I think [Brewers reliever Rob] Scahill did the same thing. I mean, Scahill threw him some good pitches that he fouled off. Those are pitches nobody else fouls off."
Votto didn't have to work a very deep count vs. Jungmann during the first plate appearance. He slugged a first-pitch fastball to straightaway center field.
"I think it's helpful," Votto said of giving the Reds an early advantage. "If you ask any pitcher, they feel more comfortable with a lead."
This season against Milwaukee, Votto is hitting .397 (27-for-68) with five homers, 15 RBIs and 16 runs scored. He is a .319/.431/.568 lifetime hitter against the Brewers, and his 16 homers at Miller Park are his highest total in any road ballpark. He also has an 11-game hitting streak against them.
Votto is batting .320/.434/.533 for the season with 26 home runs and 89 RBIs after he was batting .213 on May 31.
Since the All-Star break, Votto is batting .408 after his 1-for-2 with three walks -- including one intentional. He is vying to be the first Major League player since Ichiro Suzuki with the Mariners in 2004 to bat .400 in the second half.