Blue Jays 1 - 2 Reds
Final
  for this game

Cairo, Arroyo lead Reds past Blue Jays

Jun 20, 2011 - 2:50 AM

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Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Miguel Cairo blasted a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning to lead Cincinnati over the Toronto Blue Jays, 2-1, and help the Reds avoid being swept at Great American Ball Park.

Bronson Arroyo (6-6) tossed eight brilliant innings, giving up one run on five hits while fanning five and walking one. Francisco Cordero tossed a perfect ninth to earn his 15th save of the season.

"That was great, we needed that," Reds manager Dusty Baker said of Arroyo's performance. "That's why he's one of the stabilizers on the staff, to stop losing streaks like that."

Joey Votto collected three hits while Jay Bruce added a pair -- including a double -- for the Reds, who had dropped the first two games of the series. The victory is Cincinnati's fourth in its last six contests.

Carlos Villanueva (4-1) worked seven innings in defeat, giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out three.

Aaron Hill smacked a home run for Toronto, which had won four of its previous five games.

Cincinnati took the lead for good on Cairo's two-run blast, his third homer of the season.

"It was nice to get at least one win and stay close to the guys in first and second place," Cairo said. "We're going to be fine."

The Jays broke the scoreless tie in the fifth, taking a 1-0 lead on Hill's blast to left, his third home run of the season. Toronto kept the pressure on with back-to-back singles by J.P. Arencibia and Juan Rivera to put runners on first and third with no outs. Arroyo recovered and got John McDonald to pop into a double play and Villanueva popped out end the inning and limit the damage to only one run.

The Reds put a runner in scoring position in the fourth when Bruce slapped a single to left and stole second. Villanueva battled back to get Cairo to foul out and Fred Lewis to hit a weak ground ball to second.

Cincinnati had a chance to expand on its 2-1 margin in the eighth. A single by Votto and a double by Bruce put runners on second and third with one out. Octavio Dotel came on in relief of Marc Rzepczynski and fanned Cairo. Toronto then elected to intentionally walk Lewis to load the bases with two outs. Dotel got Edgar Renteria to fly out, ending the inning for the Reds.

Game Notes

The Reds are 21-17 at home this season and 4-8 all time against the Blue Jays...Jose Bautista has reached base safely in 24 consecutive games...Bruce stole his sixth base of the season in the fourth inning and ripped his 11th double of the year in the eighth.






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