Joey Votto Breaks Out Of His Slump - Reds Down Dodgers

Joey Votto saw his batting average dangerously close to dropping below the .300 mark.  The Reds slugger was hitless for two games in a row for only the seventh time all season.

Votto's 21st home run off J.P Howell broke with Shin-Soo Choo on base. snapped an 0-for-13 funk.  The fifth inning blast propelled the Reds to its second win in a row and fourth of the first five games of a crucial 10-game home stand.

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Mike Leake carried the Reds into the eighth inning.  After Yasiel Puig legged out an infield single, Hanley Ramirez cracked his 16th home run with two outs to give the Dodgers a quick 2-0 lead. Speedy Dee Gordon batting for Peter Moylan laid down a bunt single leading off the third.

Moylan had to replace Dodger's starter Chris Capuano who left with a strained groin.

Ramirez singled again leading off the fourth.  Leake retired 13 in a row until pinch hitter, Michael Young, singled with two outs in the eighth.

Votto singled to lead off the fourth, snapping an 0-for-13 funk.  He went to third on a single by Jay Bruce.  Ryan Ludwick hit into a double play as Votto scored.  Leake drew a walk to start the fifth.  Choo singled.  But Brandon Phillips hit into a 5-3 double play.  Votto's home run followed.

Manny Parra got a big out getting Carl Crawford to end the eighth.

Aroldis Chapman, working in his fourth straight game, struck out Puig, Adrian Gonzalez and Ramirez to seal the win.