Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press
TORONTO — Canadian Joey Votto homered into right field in the eighth inning and saved the Cincinnati Reds with a 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.
With the score at 2-2, the 38-year-old Torontonian hit Blue Jays reliever Yimi Garcia (0-3) curve ball over the fence.
This is Votto’s first circuit of the season. The star first baseman — who has six all-star selections — made his series return against the Jays. His name was on the COVID-19 list.
“Obviously, it’s nice to come back here,” noted Votto. Playing in this city means a lot to me, but I’m so focused on performing well, whether it’s here or away, that I just focus on my game.”
Reds manager David Bell said he ‘couldn’t be happier’ than to see Votto playing heroes in his hometown.
“I who meet him every day, I know how important it is for him to perform well here, but also how important it is for him to be a good player and contribute to a victory” , added Bell.
The Blue Jays (22-19) were trying to sweep a first series this season and could do so at the expense of the Reds (12-28).
Despite their positive record, the Blue Jays scored just 147 points. Only the Baltimore Orioles (140) do worse.
“The good thing is we’ve been able to win games without our offense realizing what it should be doing,” Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said.
Reliever Art Warren completed his second save of the season. It was Alexis Diaz (2-0) who inherited the victory.
Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi struggled in the first inning. He faced eight batters and pitched 37 times. The Reds took a 2-0 lead in this round.
He completed four-and-a-third innings during which he struck out seven batters, walked three and walked two hits.
Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette drove in the runs for the Queen City club.
Santiago Espinal’s double allowed him to extend his hitting streak to 15, the longest active streak of its kind in MLB.
Reds starter Graham Ashcraft made his first MLB start. In four and a third innings, he gave up two runs on four hits.
The Blue Jays will face the Cardinals (23-18) on Monday in St. Louis for a two-game series. The Jays will be on the road for the next six games.
Right-hander Jose Berrios (3-2) will face right-hander Miles Mikolas (3-2) as the curtain raiser.
