Votto Delivers in 11th, Reds win

Apr 8, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) is congratulated by Kris Negron (17) after Votto hit a game winning single in the 11th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday was a rainy day in Cincinnati, so much so that the Reds and Pirates sat through a two and a half hour rain delay before the start of the game. The Reds were trying to secure the series win, while the Bucco’s were trying to even the series at a game apiece.

Mike Leake toed the rubber for Cincinnati, while Gerrit Cole took the mound for Pittsburgh. Neither starter did very well, as both lasted less than six innings and surrendered three earned runs. However, both walked away with a no-decision.

This game was back-and-forth and highly entertaining, if you were awake to watch it.

The Reds started off the scoring in the first inning when Todd Frazier hit his second homer of the season, a solo shot to the bleachers in left field to give the Redlegs a 1-0 lead.

Pittsburgh answered back in the second inning when Pedro Alverez hit an RBI double to plate Neil Walker, the game was tied.

In the 3rd inning Cozart scored from third thanks to a wild-pitch from Cole, the Reds took the lead 2-1.

That lead would denigrate in the very next inning when Francisco Cervelli doubled to center to bring Starling Marte home, 2-2 was the score.

The Reds once again took the lead in the fourth when Brandon Phillips singled to score Frazier, 3-2 was the score after DatDude picked up his first RBI of the season.

In the fifth the Pirates would tie it up…again, when Walker hit a sac fly to plate the Cincinnati-native Josh Harrison. The game would remain tied until the top of the seventh when Corey Hart hit an RBI single to score McCutchen, and for the first time of the series, the Pirates had the lead.

But, the Reds were quick to answer back. In the seventh, Joey Votto picked up an RBI when he singled to plate Billy Hamilton. It was 4-4, and that would remain the score for three more innings.

In the bottom of the 11th, it was nearly 2 o’clock AM, many fans had left, many viewers had gone to sleep, but the Reds were still fighting. Joey Votto came up big when he delivered a single into right field to plate Cozart from second. Reds win.

“This is one of the tougher wins we’ve gotten all season” said Joey Votto jokingly while speaking to the media following the win.

JJ Hoover, who pitched the last two innings of the game got the win, while was Liz.

Also worth noting, Billy Hamilton reached base four times, and stole three bases. Manager Bryan Price said “He can be a real pain in the butt for opposing teams”.

The Reds will look to complete the series sweep on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35.