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Volquez claims sixth win as Reds down Marlins

May 14, 2008 - 4:29 AM By Douglas Tifft PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CINCINNATI (Ticker) - In a relatively low-profile deal in the offseason that allowed the Cincinnati Reds to acquire Edinson Volquez, the team didn't expect an immediate impact. What it has received is ace-like production.

Volquez became the fifth National League pitcher to reach the six-win mark on Tuesday, tossing six strong innings to lead the Reds to a 5-3 win over the Florida Marlins.

Cincinnati traded outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers in late December in exchange for Volquez (6-1) in hopes to augment a pitching staff that often did not complement an explosive offense.

While Hamilton leads the American League with 43 RBI, Volquez is making his own strong argument with his performance on the mound this season. The righthander added to his amazing National League resume on Tuesday, allowing one run and seven hits with five strikeouts to retake the NL lead with 57 strikeouts.

"(Volquez was) outstanding, it's amazing," said Reds utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr. of Volquez. "It's really good to see, especially from my end. He was a teammate of mine for a couple of years in Texas. You always knew that had the electric stuff, but now he is starting to put it together. That lineup he faced tonight was as good as it gets."

"Right now, I feel more comfortable, that's it," Volquez said. "I didn't make any changes to my mechanics. It's just getting older (and) preparing for the game better.

Volquez also owns the league's lowest ERA at 1.12 and has allowed one run or less in all eight of his starts this season - a feat only accomplished by Oakland starter Mike Norris in 1980.

The Reds got on the board in the second when they capitalized on three walks by Florida starter Mark Hendrickson (5-2) and two hits to bring home two runs. Ryan Freel's infield single and Jeff Keppinger's bases-loaded walk accounted for the runs.

Keppinger fouled a ball off of his left knee before working the walk. An X-ray later revealed that he fractured his patella, with further MRI tests planned for Wednesday.

"That's a really big blow," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "But, you have got two choices: you can either feel sorry for yourself or figure out a way to get the job done."

"We lose consistency, and a trustworthy hitter," said Reds rookie first baseman Joey Votto when asked what the team will miss with Keppinger out of the lineup. "A consistent batter and a guy who was playing real good shortstop."

The 28-year-old Keppinger, who was hitting a team-best .324 on the season and was leading the team in hits and RBI, was replaced by Hairston, who had two hits and scored twice.

The Marlins struck for their lone run off of Volquez in the fifth inning with three straight singles and a sacrifice fly by Hanley Ramirez.

Jared Burton, who came on in relief of Volquez, retired two in the seventh before surrendering an RBI single to Dan Uggla. Bill Bray finished off the seventh by retiring Luis Gonzalez.

David Weathers worked the eighth, allowing a pinch-hit home run to Cody Ross before handing it over in the ninth to closer Francisco Cordero, who followed with a scoreless ninth for his seventh save in as many chances.

Hendrickson lasted five innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and walking five.

"The last two games, I've had trouble finding my rhythm," Hendrickson said. "The hits you can't control, but the walks made it hard on (me). A lot of my problems were self-induced."

Joey Votto hit his National League rookie-leading eighth home run of the season in the seventh to provide the final margin of victory.

"I was comfortable last year when I got called up," Votto said. "The only time I felt like I wasn't in the right place was my first at-bat. But after that I was honestly ready to go."