Joey Votto stepped into the batter's box in the eighth inning tonight with another chance to prove he could possibly be the most clutch hitter in all of baseball. In a 3-2 game against division foe Milwaukee Brewers with two out and Brandon Phillips on first base, "Mr. Vottomatic" delivered, hitting a monster home run off of the batters eye in deep center field giving the Reds a 4-3 lead.
If you read the dialogue of the play-by-play, you may be used to Votto delivering in these situations. After all, he is the reigning National League MVP, but apparently isn't good enough to be the starting first basemen in this season's Mid-Summer Classic.
Other than writing for BR, I work as a sales associate in a sports retail shop. I talk sports with the likes of everyone, from previous generations talking to me about the Big Red Machine all the way to little kids trying to convince me they'd rather have Albert Pujols than Joey Votto.
When the Reds come up, it seems like they keep bringing up one downfall in Votto's game. He's not hitting home runs.
Nevermind the fact the guy is hitting around .330, has 32 RBI and an OBP of .438. It's all about home runs.
I'll be the first to admit that often I do expect to see Votto hit a clutch home run for the Reds to take the lead or send the crowd home happy. I also was spoiled from being at many games last season that he did get the big clutch hit. But I don't think that just because his power numbers are down we should exactly count this guy out.
Seven home runs isn't exactly jaw-dropping, but that's not what Joey Votto's game is all about. This is especially true when you look at the fact he has Jay Bruce, the top hitter in the National League, batting right behind him to knock him in.
Joey Votto is a guy who can hit everything, it seems. We should be happy that he's getting on base whether he rips a double down the right-field line or works a count until he gets a walk.
Tonight, Votto was the hero. A 438 foot home run gave the Reds an important win over the Brewers, along with yet another series victory over the boys up north.
But hey, if it's home runs you want, that's exactly what Joey Votto gave you tonight.
FSU Cowgirls Abbie Cornish Krista Allen Hayden Panettiere Jules Asner
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