VottoMatic: 3 hits, 2 runs, RBI Help Pace Bats Win

LOUISVILLE, KY – Reds rehabbing All-Star Joey Votto finished a home run shy of the cycle, Alejo Lopez had three hits and two RBI and the Louisville Bats beat the St. Paul Saints 6-3 Saturday night at Louisville Slugger Field.

[BOX SCORE]

St. Paul opened the game with a homer but the run was soon matched when Votto, who originally forgot his helmet on his way to the plate, tripled and scored on the first of Lopez’s base hits. Lopez then worked his way around the bases and came plateward on a bases-loaded walk to Beau Taylor.

Votto doubled one inning later on a liner to deep left and scored when fellow Reds rehabbing star, Aristides Aquino, ripped a ball into left for an RBI single.

Votto then put the word “cycle” front of mind with a run-scoring single to center that scored Errol Robinson and put the Bats ahead 4-1 after four innings. Despite the valiant effort, Votto ultimately grounded out in his final at-bat to finish a home run shy of completing the cycle.

Lopez chipped in an additional run with his third hit of the night, a double to left that plated TJ Friedl. Lopez enter the game with the most base hits in Minor League Baseball and extended his lead with his 45th base hit in 30 games this season.

St. Paul broke through in the sixth on a two-run homer from Mark Contreras. The deep fly was the first runs allowed by Louisville’s bullpen this series.

RJ Alaniz (1.0ip), Phillip Diehl (0.1ip) and Art Warren (1.0ip) shut the door to preserve the win.

The Bats seek their first series win Sunday in a 1 p.m. game against the Saints. Louisville is expected to give the ball to LHP Josh Osich (0-2, 6.43), while St. Paul is scheduled to send RHP Bailey Ober (1-0, 2.81) to the mound.