Reds' Votto belts three homers in rout of Cubs

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

CINCINNATI, Ohio (AFP) — Joey Votto smacked three home runs Wednesday as the Cincinnati Reds routed the Chicago Cubs 9-0.

"I've had several two-homer games, but no threes," said Votto, who had never hit three homers in one game on any level, even when he was in high school.

After the third, he said, "Honestly, I was like a kid."

Four of the Reds' seven home runs came in the bottom of the second off Jon Lieber, who tied a major league record for most homers allowed in one inning.

Adam Dunn, Paul Bako, Jerry Hairston jnr and Brandon Phillips also went deep for Cincinnati, which took two of three games in the series.

"That's how things go, they go in streaks," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "Home runs go in streaks. Bad hitting goes in streaks...