Votto powers Reds past reeling Pirates, 8-7
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Joey Votto celebrated his 33rd birthday with four hits, including a home run, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the collapsing Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7 on Saturday night.
Votto led off the ninth inning with his 23rd homer, a drive to right off Juan Nicasio that gave the Reds a two-run cushion. The 2010 NL MVP is hitting .427 in 51 games since the All-Star break and could become the first major leaguer to hit .400 in the second half since Ichiro Suzuki had a .429 average in 2004 with the Seattle Mariners.
The Pirates’ flickering hopes of a fourth consecutive postseason berth took another hit as they dropped six games behind St. Louis for the second NL wild card with their 10th loss in 12 games.