Votto, Reds increase NL Central lead with win over Brewers

Baseball Betting Lines

08/31/2010 - Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Joey Votto doubled twice and drove in three runs, as the National League Central-leading Cincinnati Reds handled the Milwaukee Brewers, 8-4, in the second of a three-game set at Great American Ball Park.

Jonny Gomes hit a two-run homer and Scott Rolen contributed a pair of doubles and two RBI for Cincinnati, which has won three straight and five of its last six overall. The Reds increased their lead to seven games ahead of second- place St. Louis after the Cardinals lost to Houston on Tuesday.

Sam LeCure (2-4) earned the win for allowing only one hit and a walk over two innings of relief work. Reds starter Aaron Harang, who was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game, yielded three runs -- one earned -- on eight hits with three walks and two strikeouts in four-plus innings. The right-hander had been out of the rotation since July 1 with lower back spasms.

Reds Pitching phenom Aroldis Chapman, who was promoted from Triple-A Louisville earlier on Tuesday, made his big league debut in the eighth and retired the side in order. The left-hander topped out at 102 m.p.h. on the radar gun.

Fielder's bloop single in the top of the first plated Corey Hart, who singled and moved to second on a groundout to give the Brewers the early lead.

In the bottom half, Drew Stubbs drew a leadoff walk and Chris Valaika singled. Votto then laced a double down the right-field line that scored both to put Cincinnati in front, 2-1.

Milwaukee stranded a pair of runners in the second, and Hart bounced into a 5-4-3 double play with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth to squelch another threat.

Rolen led off the home half with a double, and Gomes followed with a two-run shot to right for a 4-1 game.

The Brewers got two back in the fifth to cut the deficit to one. Harang permitted the first two hitters to reach via a single and walk, ending his outing. LeCure came in and retired the first batter, but gave up a single to Chris Dickerson that scored both runners with the aid of an error by the left fielder Gomes.

Votto's bloop run-scoring double to right in the home fifth made it 5-3, and the hosts broke it open with three more in the sixth. Paul Janish roped an RBI double to left and later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Rolen brought in two more with a double to center to build the hosts' lead to 8-3.

Chapman entered in the eighth and threw a perfect inning. Weeks' solo homer off Logan Ondrusek in the ninth accounted for the 8-4 final score.

Game Notes

Cincinnati made several roster moves before the game. In addition to reinstating Harang from the DL and recalling Chapman, the club also placed outfielder Laynce Nix on the 15-day DL with a left ankle sprain and optioned right-hander Edinson Volquez to Single-A Dayton...Reds outfielder Jay Bruce was a late scratch due to pain in his right side...The Reds have now won six of seven versus the Brewers this year, including a two-game sweep at home on May 17-18 in the only previous meeting at Cincinnati in 2010.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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