Votto has big hit in 11th, leads Reds over Nats

WASHINGTON – Joey Votto hit a two-run double in the 11th inning Sunday and the Cincinnati Reds avoided a four-game sweep with an 8-5 victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

The Reds, who had scored just 10 runs in losing five of six, scored their most runs in a game this season.

Drew Stubbs, who had been 1 for 15 in the series, singled off Tyler Clippard (1-1) to open the 10th. After Wilson Valdez tried unsuccessfully to bunt, Zack Cozart singled — his third of the game — and Votto, who was walked intentionally his previous two at-bats, doubled to left on a 2-0 count. Scott Rolen followed with an RBI single.

Jose Arrendondo (1-0), the fourth Cincinnati pitcher, threw a scoreless 10th. Sean Marshall worked the 11th for his first save of the season.

Washington, which had won five straight, trailed 5-0 in the fourth, but fought back to force the third extra-inning game of the four-game series.

The Reds took a 4-0 lead in the first. Cozart singled with one out, and after Votto was called out on strikes, Rolen bounced a ball to short. Ian Desmond's throw to first pulled Adam LaRoche off the bag, and Desmond was charged with an error though television replays appeared to show Rolen was out.

Jay Bruce walked, and on a 2-2 pitch, Ryan Ludwick launched a grand slam to left-center off Ross Detwiler, his first of the season. Detwiler threw 38 pitches in the first.

In the Reds' first nine games, they were batting just .191, and hadn't scored more than two runs in an inning.

Cincinnati scored its fifth run in the fourth on Ryan Hanigan's RBI single.

Washington got its first hits off Reds starter Mike Leake in the fourth. Desmond and Danny Espinosa began the inning with singles. Ryan Zimmerman walked to load the bases, and LaRoche hit a two-run single. Bruce, in right field, bobbled the ball, and the runners moved up. Zimmerman scored on Mark DeRosa's infield out to make it 5-3.

Detwiler pitched five innings and allowed five runs — just one earned — and six hits.

With one out in the fifth, pinch-hitter Roger Bernadina walked and scored on Desmond's double and Cincinnati led 5-4.

The Nationals tied it in the seventh when Rick Ankiel led off with a double. With one out, manager Dusty Baker lifted Leake for Logan Ondrusek, who allowed a two-out RBI single to Desmond — his third of the game.

Leake pitched 6 1-3 innings, giving up five runs and five hits.

NOTES: Reds 2B Brandon Phillips started for the first time in six games. He'd been out with a left hamstring injury, but appeared to aggravate the injury when he doubled leading off the ninth. He was immediately replaced. ... Cincinnati 3B Miguel Cairo missed the game with a strained left hamstring. Baker said he'll be reevaluated on Tuesday. ... Washington RHP Craig Stammen pitched four innings in three games this series and struck out nine. ... Cincinnati is off on Monday and opens a three-game series in St. Louis on Tuesday. RHP Johnny Cueto (1-0, 2.25) is scheduled to pitch against RHP Kyle Lohse (2-0, 1.35). ... The Nationals open a four-game series with Houston on Monday. RHP Stephen Strasburg (1-0, 0.69) faces RHP Kyle Weiland (0-1, 7.20).