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Votto rallies Reds past Marlins

Sep 22, 2008 - 10:26 PM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Joey Votto homered and drove in two runs as the Cincinnati Reds rallied from a four-run deficit to post a 7-5 victory over the Florida Marlins on Monday afternoon.

Votto started the comeback in the sixth, blasting a solo shot with two outs in the inning for his 22nd home run. The rookie then highlighted the six-run rally in the seventh inning with the go-ahead RBI double.

"I'm glad I came through in that situation," Votto said. "Sometimes things don't work out well, but it did, and I'm glad it led to a win."

"He's turning into an all-around hitter, especially off a guy with experience of Arthur Rhodes, who's tough on lefthand hitters," Reds manager Dusty Baker said of Votto. "That was just good hitting by Joey."

The Reds took advantage of a fielding miscue after Andrew Miller (6-10) replaced Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco.

Ryan Hanigan hit a grounder in front of the plate, but Florida catcher Matt Treanor's throw to third missed the target, allowing Corey Patterson to score and cut the deficit to 4-2.

Two batters later, Jerry Hairston Jr. delivered a two-run, game-tying single to center field. Andy Phillips capped the rally with a two-run base hit to right.

Aaron Harang (6-16) was the beneficiary of the offensive outburst, winning consecutive starts for the first time this season. The righthander gave up four runs and eight hits with two walks and six strikeouts over seven frames.

"I didn't have my best stuff today," Harang said. "I was out there grinding. I think they realized that I was out there battling for them and trying to keep them in this game.

"They stepped up, big time, there in the seventh with that six-spot on the board for me. I appreciate it."

Harang surrendered four runs in the first three innings before settling down. After Willingham's blast provided the Marlins with a 4-0 cushion, he retired 10 of the next 11 batters.

"We wanted to get it for Aaron," Baker said. "He started out a little rough. But Aaron settled down and made some quality pitches and we came back right on time."

David Weathers pitched a perfect eighth in front of Francisco Cordero, who yielded a run in the ninth but still collected his 33rd save of the season.

Jeremy Hermida and Willingham both hit solo home runs for the Marlins (81-75), who were mathematically eliminated in the National League East race and trail the New York Mets by 5 1/2 games in the wild card with six contests left.

"A super long shot," Marlins outfielder Luis Gonzalez said.

Nolasco lasted six-plus innings, relinquishing three runs and six hits with a walk and five strikeouts.

This was a makeup of the May 15 game, which was rained out.

"This was a tough draw for us," Gonzalez said. "We had to stop here, and now we go to Washington for three. We wanted to put ourselves in a position to make that New York series one that means a lot."