Joey Votto In Timeout Todd Frazier Trade Fills Reds Lineup

http://donatelifeohio.org/

Pete Harnisch would look at the lineup on the day he was pitching and asked Jack McKeon passing by, "Skip are we trying?"

The Reds' lineup for the series ending afternoon game against the Pittsburgh Pirates will be without Joey Votto and Billy Hamilton.   Hamilton regularly gets every fourth day off but Votto is getting a rare day off.

The move was foreshadowed by Bryan Price in spring training telling the press that the 34-year old first baseman would get more days of rest this season.  Votto appeared to tweak his thigh on the road, getting out of the batter's box in San Francisco but didn't miss any playing time.

http://www.wiedemannbeer.com/

Votto may need at least a mental day.  His 12th inning double made him 5-for-27 in his last eight games.  He was 0-for-5 for the game when he hit it.

One of the league's leading hitters during his career, Votto played in all 162 games for the second time in his career.  Since a distal quad strain in his left knee cost him 99 games in 2014, Votto played in 158,158 and 162 games the last three seasons.  He has played in 150 or more games seven times in his 10-plus year career.

With his next appearance, Votto will tie Dan Driessan for ninth place on the Reds' all-time list for games played with 1,480.  He is 22 games away from catching Frank Robinson, number eight on the list with 1,502 games.

"It was a good time to give him a day off with the long night last night (12 innings)," Jim Riggleman said.  "He is still on pace for 150 games."

Brandon Dixon will play first base.  He joins shortstop Jose Peraza and Scott Schebler in the lineup.  All three of the players the Reds' obtained in the Todd Frazier trade with the White Sox and Dodgers are in the Reds' lineup at the same time.

Dixon joined the team on Monday after hitting .326 in 37 games at Louisville when he got the call.  He hit 12 doubles, a triple and four home runs.  Dixon had a good spring, playing all the infield positions and every outfield spot but center.  The Reds elected to keep veterans, Phil Gosselin, who was claimed on waivers by Atlanta and Cliff Pennington, who is at Louisville.

Dixon is looking for his first hit after four at bats in his first two games.