CINCINNATI -- About 90 minutes before the Reds opened a four-game series vs. the Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, first baseman Joey Votto was scratched from the lineup with lower back tightness.

Votto, 35, was replaced by rookie Josh VanMeter at both first base and in the No. 2 spot in the batting order.

Over 113 games this season, Votto is batting .262/.352/.410 with 12 home runs and 39 RBIs.

“It just tightened up on him right before the game," Reds manager David Bell said following his club's 2-1 win. "He’s had this a couple of times this year. It might be just a day-to-day thing.”