Votto’s bases-loaded single gives Reds 3-2 win over Diamondbacks in 10 innings

Votto leads Reds over Dbacks 3-2 in 10 innings

CINCINNATI — Joey Votto singled with the bases loaded and two outs in the 10th inning, and the Cincinnati Reds ended an afternoon of wasted chances by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 on Thursday.

Cincinnati loaded the bases with none out against Clay Zavada (1-2), stringing together a walk and a pair of singles. After Laynce Nix struck out and Jerry Hairston Jr. flied out to shallow right field, Votto singled past shortstop Augie Ojeda for his fourth hit of the game.

Francisco Cordero (1-2) escaped a bases-loaded threat in the 10th with the help of a double play. Justin Upton hit a routine fly to right fielder Jay Bruce, whose throw home beat the tagging Alex Romero for the third out. Bruce then had a bunt single during the Reds’ winning rally.

Arizona lost for the 10th time in 12 games, falling a season-high 17 games under .500. The Diamondbacks have repeatedly wasted good pitching during the slump, done in by bad defense and a low-scoring offense.

The Diamondbacks were in position to get a victory for tough-luck starter Doug Davis, who gave up one run through seven innings. Reliever Chad Qualls let a 2-1 lead get away in the ninth when Drew Sutton grounded into a forceout that produced the tying run in his first big-league plate appearance.

Cincinnati repeatedly wasted chances against Davis, loading the bases twice but failing to score. The Reds finally got it right in the 10th.

It was another case of the Diamondbacks wasting a solid performance by a starting pitcher. Davis is 0-2 with three no-decisions in his last five starts, which is no reflection on his performance. He’d given up only five earned runs in his last four games.

Aaron Harang knows the feeling.

Harang hasn’t won since May 25, going 0-4 with three no-decisions. He gave up two runs in seven innings, including Mark Reynolds’ solo homer that made it 2-1 in the sixth.

Cincinnati’s offense goes into a shell whenever Harang faces the Diamondbacks. The right-hander is 2-4 in his career against Arizona despite a 1.75 ERA.

NOTES: The slumping Bruce was out of Cincinnati’s starting lineup, but went into right field as part of a double switch in the eighth. He fouled out with two runners aboard in the bottom of the inning. … Since he returned from a stint on the DL for anxiety related problems, Votto has gone 15 for 38 with three doubles. … Reds C Ryan Hanigan also had three hits, a career high.