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Votto, Nix homer to lead Reds to 8-6 win in 13

Aug 26, 2009 - 5:20 AM MILWAUKEE(AP) -- Cincinnati blew a five-run lead with one out in the ninth inning, giving the Milwaukee Brewers all the momentum going into extra innings. Joey Votto and Laynce Nix got it back for the Reds.

Votto and Nix hit solo home runs in the top of the 13th inning to give Cincinnati an 8-6 victory Tuesday night.

"Boy, it's a tough way to win, but it's OK with me," Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

Votto led off the 13th by hitting a 3-1 pitch from Todd Coffey (4-3) just over the left-field wall for his 19th home run. With two outs, Nix hit his second homer of the game, and 12th of the year, off Coffey, to center.

"They had the momentum, but we kept battling and we got a big homer by Joey," Nix said.

Coffey rarely pitched more than two innings in a game this year, but went the final three for the Brewers.

"I went right after them and they got me," he said. "It's unacceptable right there for me to lose that game like that regardless of whether it's the first inning or the third inning or the seventh inning I pitch. I've got to get it done and I didn't get it done."

Daniel Ray Herrera (2-4) pitched the final two innings for the win.

Milwaukee scored five runs with one out in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 6-6, giving Cincinnati closer Francisco Cordero his second blown save in 28 chances.

Left fielder Darnell McDonald, recalled by the Reds from Triple-A Louisville earlier Tuesday, threw out Ryan Braun at the plate to end the ninth inning.

"McDonald saved the day out there," Baker said. "Votto and Nix did the rest."

Braun said he had no regrets about attempting to tag up and score the winning run, but was thrown out by a couple of steps.

"I was going no matter what," he said. "Their guy had to make a good throw and unfortunately for us he did."

Cincinnati starter Bronson Arroyo scattered six hits and one walk while striking out four in seven innings. The right-hander has a 2.19 ERA in his last nine starts dating to July 10, but only has a 3-4 record in that span as the Reds have struggled with a slew of injuries.

"That's the one downer tonight is that Bronson didn't get the win," Baker said. "He did his job big-time."

Milwaukee starter Jeff Suppan struggled in his return from the disabled list, giving up four runs, nine hits and five walks with one strikeout in 4 1-3 innings. Out since July 27 with a left oblique strain, Suppan allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base in each of the first four innings, and gave up single runs in the second through fifth innings.

"Early in the game we had a number of opportunities to really blow that game open," Baker said. "We kept them in the game by not blowing the game open."

The Brewers had one out in the ninth when Frank Catalanotto reached on an error by reliever Jared Burton. Jason Kendall then hit an RBI double to make it 6-2 and pinch-hitter Mike Rivera walked, chasing Burton.

Felipe Lopez greeted reliever Arthur Rhodes with a single and Craig Counsell drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 6-3.

Cordero entered to face Braun, who hit a two-run single to bring Milwaukee within 6-5 and move Counsell to second. Prince Fielder followed with a single to load the bases.

Casey McGehee's single tied the score at 6. Mike Cameron flied out, but McDonald threw out Braun at the plate for a double play.

Scott Rolen had four hits, scored twice and had an RBI for Cincinnati.

Lopez's solo homer in the third, his eighth of the year and second since joining Milwaukee on July 19, was the only run allowed by Arroyo.

Corky Miller, also recalled from Louisville on Tuesday, started at catcher and had two RBI singles. The Reds have 11 players on the disabled list and have 11 players on the roster who have spent time at Louisville this year.

NOTES: Brewers 2B Felipe Lopez left the game after hurting the arch of his foot while scoring in the ninth inning, and is day to day. ... The Brewers optioned INF Hernan Iribarran to Triple-A Nashville. ... Suppan was reinstated off the DL despite posting an 11.57 ERA in two minor-league rehab starts. ... The roof was closed at Miller Park but water leaked through in the stands behind home plate during heavy rains.