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Votto's homer sends Reds past Brewers

Jun 2, 2011 - 3:49 AM Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Joey Votto blasted a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth and Francisco Cordero earned his 300th career save, as the Cincinnati Reds downed the Milwaukee Brewers, 4-3, in the rubber match of a three-game set from Great American Ball Park.

With Brandon Phillips aboard and the Reds trailing 3-2, Votto unloaded on a Kameron Loe sinker, sending the ball deep over the center field wall. It delivered the deciding runs for the Reds, who have struggled to a 4-11 mark over their last 15 games.

Cordero threw a perfect ninth to become the 22nd pitcher in major league history with 300 saves. Nick Masset (1-3) earned the win after recording the final out in the top of the eighth -- a strikeout of Corey Hart with two men on base.

"I don't know what to say," mused Cordero on the milestone. "I mean it's just so exciting. I'm just really happy and, you know, I'm glad it's out of the way so now I can just focus and get more saves and help my team."

Loe (2-5) took the loss after giving up Votto's homer. Shaun Marcum preceded Loe with seven strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.

Despite the loss, the Brewers have won nine of their last 12 contests.

The Reds wrapped up a run of 20 consecutive games without a day off.

Trailing 3-0 in the seventh, Votto led off with a single to right. Jay Bruce followed with his 17th home run of the season to cut the deficit to one.

In the eighth, with two down, Phillips was drilled by a Loe offering before Votto put the Reds on top for the first and only time in the game.

"Honestly, I got a good pitch to hit and I drove it well," said Votto. "I haven't been hitting many balls in the air hard. I forgot what it felt like."

In fact, Cincinnati trailed from the second pitch of the game, when Rickie Weeks ripped an 0-1 cutter into the seats in left.

The Brewers pushed the lead to 2-0 in the same frame as Nyjer Morgan tripled to right and crossed the plate on Ryan Braun's groundout.

In the fourth, Corey Hart crossed the plate to give the Brewers a 3-0 lead. After doubling, Hart moved to third on a Jonathan Lucroy fly out to right, and scored on a Yuniesky Betancourt single.

Game Notes

Milwaukee is 2-13 over its last 15 games at Great American Ball Park...Entering Wednesday, Shaun Marcum was 6-1 in his last 10 starts...Bruce tallied 12 home runs and 33 RBI in the month of May, the most home runs in a calendar month by a Reds batter since 2008 (Adam Dunn) and the most RBI in a calendar month by a Reds batter since 1999 (Greg Vaughn).