Votto, Reds go long and beat Cubs, 9-0

CINCINNATI -- Nothing special about Joey Votto’s first homer, a hanging slider that he pulled into the seats in right field for a 1-0 lead.

What followed was special.

Votto connected two more times and the Cincinnati Reds powered their way to a 9-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

“I’m like a kid,” said Votto, a second-year player who had never hit more than one in a game. “I thought it was cool. It’s not a big part of my game.”

Votto started a four-homer second inning off Jon Lieber. Adam Dunn and Paul Bako had solo shots, and Jerry Hairston Jr.’s two-run homer completed the rally. Brandon Phillips and Votto had back-to-back solo homers off Sean Marshall in the fifth, with Votto sending a fastball into the Reds’ bullpen in center.

An inning later, Votto went to the opposite field off Sean Gallagher, a two-run homer that gave him seven for the season.

Votto became the 23rd Reds player to hit three homers in a game, the first since Aaron Boone on May 8, 2003.