Votto hits 2 more homers as Reds roll past Cubs 7-4

CHICAGO (AP) — Joey Votto continued his power surge with two home runs and started a dazzling double play Tuesday night as the Cincinnati Reds pulled away to a 7-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Votto has homered in a career-high four consecutive games for the second time (April 2018), one game shy of the team record.

The Reds hit four home runs in winning for the third time in five games. The Cubs lost for the sixth time in their last 10.

Cincinnati rookie Vladimir Gutierrez (5-3) pitched 6 1/3 innings of five-hit ball to earn the win.

Cubs starter Adbert Alzolay (4-11) allowed three home runs in five innings, increasing his National League lead to 23. Left-handed hitters have 19 homers off Alzolay, who has served up 14 long balls in his last eight starts.

This marked Votto’s 14th career multiple-homer game and first since June 29, 2017, against Milwaukee. Votto has hit safely in his last five games (8 for 19) and reached base safely in 21 straight for the second-longest active streak in the majors. DJ LeMahieu of the Yankees leads with a 36-game on-base streak.

Trailing 4-2 in the third, the Cubs mounted a rally before Votto ran from his first base position and reached across the tarp down the right field line to catch a foul pop by Willson Contreras, then turned and threw quickly to home plate, where catcher Tyler Stephenson tagged Rafael Ortega for the final out of the inning.

After the double play, Gutierrez retired 10 of the next 12 batters before Ian Happ hit a bloop double and pinch-hitter Patrick Wisdom drew a walk with one out in the seventh.

Alzolay allowed a season-high seven hits in five innings, including an RBI single by Kyle Farmer in the second.

Anthony Rizzo tied the game for the Cubs with a two-run homer in the first, marking the first time he has...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Votto-hits-2-more-homers-as-Reds-roll-past-Cubs-16344748.php