Votto hits tiebreaking home run in 8th inning, lifts Reds over Indians 4-2

Cincinnati Reds center fielder Shin-Soo Choo, left, is congratulated by third base coach Chris Speier, right, in the first inning during a baseball game, Monday, May 27, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl) (The Associated Press)

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake throws against the Cleveland Indians in the first inning during a baseball game, Monday, May 27, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl) (The Associated Press)

CINCINNATI – Joey Votto hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning, lifting the Cincinnati Reds over the Cleveland Indians 4-2 Monday in the opener of their intrastate matchup.

Votto won this interleague game with his ninth homer, tagging left-hander Nick Hagadone (0-1). The reliever was called up from Triple-A earlier in the day when closer Chris Perez was put on the disabled list with a sore right shoulder.

Shin-Soo Choo led off the Reds' eighth with a single and moved around on a passed ball and Zack Cozart's sacrifice bunt. Votto followed with an opposite-field shot into the seats in left.

Choo, traded from the Indians to the Reds in the offseason, also hit a leadoff homer in the first.