Joey Votto Homers in Return As Streaking Cincinnati Reds Beat Colorado Rockies

Joel Reyes

updated at June 20, 2023 at 8:36 AM

The Cincinnati Reds extended their winning streak to nine games on Monday
Joey Votto led the Reds in their latest victory with a home run on his return
He was out of the lineup for nearly a year after undergoing multiple surgeries

Joey Votto made a triumphant return to the big leagues, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday.

He sent the fans into a frenzy, hitting a homer and driving in three runs in his first MLB game since August 16, 2022.

Votto was sidelined for over ten months after undergoing multiple surgeries to repair a torn left rotator cuff and his left biceps.

Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, MLB, Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, Shohei Ohtani, — Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds acknowledges the crowd before his first at bat of the season in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Image: Andy Lyons
Source: Getty Images

He looked like he was never out for that long, though, delivering timely hits in his return to help the Reds extend their winning streak to nine games.

Votto launches homer in return

Votto gave Cincinnati a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning after hitting a towering homer to right field in just his second at-bat, per Yahoo! Sports.

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He could not hide his delight as he circled the bases for his 343rd career home run.

The Rockies tried to spoil Votto’s return, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 4-3 lead.

The 2010 NL MVP wasn’t going to be denied, though, giving the lead back to the Reds in the bottom half of that inning with a clutch two-run single off Jake Bird.

Reds survive Rockies' late rally

Colorado tried to stage a rally in the ninth inning, putting runners at the corners with no outs after a couple of singles by Mike Moustakas and Jurickson Profar, per ESPN.

Alexis Diaz managed to get out of that jam, striking out Randal Grichuk and Ryan McMahon before retiring Elias Diaz on a groundout to seal his 19th save in 20 changes.