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Sports ExtraWednesday, May 7, 2008 10:30 PM CDT
Reds pummel Lieber, Cubs; Votto bashes 3 HRs
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CINCINNATI — Jon Lieber became only the second pitcher in Chicago Cubs history to give up four homers in an inning, and Joey Votto connected three times in all as the Cincinnati Reds powered their way to a 9-0 victory on Wednesday. | MLB page

Votto started a four-homer second inning off Lieber (2-2), who was making his first start of the season. Adam Dunn and Paul Bako also had solo shots, and Jerry Hairston Jr.’s two-run homer completed the history-matching rally.

Votto and the Reds weren’t even close to finished for the afternoon.

Brandon Phillips and Votto had back-to-back solo homers off Sean Marshall in the fifth. An inning later, Votto completed the biggest game of his two-year career with a two-run drive off Sean Gallagher, giving him seven overall for the season.

Given a chance to hit a fourth homer, Votto grounded out in the eighth against Michael Wuertz.

The seven homers were Cincinnati’s most since it hit an NL-record nine at Philadelphia on Sept. 4, 1999. Votto became the 23rd Reds player to hit three in a game, the first since Aaron Boone on May 8, 2003.

Lieber, known throughout his career for impeccable control, joined Phil Norton as the only Cubs pitchers to allow four homers in an inning — a surprising statistic, considering how the wind often blows out at Wrigley.

At Great American Ball Park, it was gusting and swirling, bringing rain midway through the game. No problem for Edinson Volquez (5-1), who has been the Reds’ best starter.

The major leaguers’ most prolific offense managed only four hits in seven innings off the right-hander, who has dominated NL hitters. Volquez, obtained in the trade last December that sent Josh Hamilton to Texas, has allowed one earned run or less in each of his seven starts.

Volquez struck out 10 while lowering his ERA to 1.04, best in the NL.

The 38-year-old Lieber made his first eight appearances out of the bullpen. When left-hander Rich Hill was sent to the minors to work on his control over the weekend, Lieber was the logical choice to move into the rotation.

He lasted only two innings on Wednesday. Half of his relief appearances went at least as long.

Not since Norton gave up four homers in the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 8, 2000 had a Cubs pitcher been hit so hard. To that point, the Cubs hadn’t allowed more than two homers in any game so far this season.

The four homers tied Cincinnati’s record for one inning, accomplished many times. The most recent was Aug. 17, 1996 at Riverfront Stadium, when Eddie Taubensee, Reggie Sanders, Jeff Branson and Barry Larkin connected against the Colorado Rockies.

The big inning decided a game between two struggling teams. The Cubs have dropped nine of their last 13, while the Reds have lost six of eight.

Notes: The Cubs are off on Thursday before opening their longest homestand of the season, 10 games against Arizona, San Diego and Pittsburgh. ... The Cubs’ record for homers allowed in a game is eight. ... Phillips left with a bruised left calf, sustained on a foul tip.

Take a look
Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto is congratulated by third base coach Mark Berry after Votto hit a solo home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Leiber in the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 7, 2008, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
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Reader comments on this story - 15 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Ron Santos Feet wrote on May 8, 2008 7:55 PM:

" Cats, Juan, heres the thing, my team has done something productive in the past 100 years. How many WS titles to the Scrubs have in that time? Oh that's right, none. Maybe the Sox are bad this year, fine, but at least I will not have to wait another 100 years to see a WS title. You should appreciate the only Chicago baseball team, without 100 years of failure. "

juan encarnacion's eye wrote on May 8, 2008 4:35 PM:

" Santos Feet: You've been around for 100 years? That's pretty amazing! And your awesome Sox are fighting to get to .500??? Wow, the only difference between you and the cub fans that you so graciously bash is the cub fans are smart enough to not talk crap when their team sux, and then there's you who spouts off at everything and your team is TERRIBLE! Have fun with your losing season, what a joke you've become. "

c.a.t.s. wrote on May 8, 2008 4:05 PM:

" to Ron Santos Feet: wasnt it ozzie that said that the white sox are the B!+(%S of chicago?? i must say i agree... mommy must not have shown you any love. and the cubs are and always will be chicagos baseball team hurts dont it?? "

Ron Santos Feet wrote on May 8, 2008 2:58 PM:

" redbird:I do get my pleasure off of the Cubs' misery - that means I have been quite happy over the past 100 years! Lots and lots of failure in the Scrub camp! The fact that you thought of those other names means you are just as "low" as I am! Your spelling gives you away as a Scrub fan too! (nonesense? Hanckock?)

Charlemagne: You know what that means, more people hate your team, then other teams. You are happy to be on such a hated team? Only a Scrub fan....... "

Charlemagne wrote on May 8, 2008 12:21 PM:

" I love how many people love to hate the Cubs. As a Cubs fan, I am honored. Compare the number Cubs fans who post on Cards articles with the number of Cards fans who post on Cubs. Its hilarious. "

redbird2002 wrote on May 8, 2008 10:36 AM:

" anyone with the name "Ron Santos Feet" should just be ignored, let him post his nonesense on the boards all he wants. Just ignore him, he obviously get his pleasures in life thriving off other peoples misery. Look at his name for crying out loud? He is making fun of a all-time great ambassador of the game, and a wonderful person in Ron Santo...all his charity work and $ he gives to fight Diabetes...I think I should change my sign on name to Daryle Kile "HE GONE" or DUI Larussa/Hanckock. "

Poster Boy wrote on May 8, 2008 9:39 AM:

" Wow. It's getting pretty testy over on this thread. What's up with that? This is just a child's game played by overpaid grown men here. Nothing worth getting that wound up about, in my opinion. Shoot, next thing you know somebody's gonna get tossed through a plate glass window. "

cub77 wrote on May 8, 2008 9:24 AM:

" I don't usually post on these articles because of the nonsense that is written day in day out. Ron Santos Feet is on here every day ripping the cubs and their fans. He must be a wonderful person, with a great job, many friends, and a family who loves him dearly. Anyone who gets such pleasure from a baseball team losing is definately a solid individual. I just really hope that when the cubs do start to win some games and someday maybe win a world series that this wonderful person is able to go on with his life. "

Ron Santos Feet wrote on May 8, 2008 8:26 AM:

" I actually was not comparing you to the Cub fans I despise - because you never made any dumb comments. Ignorance is just not being informed on the facts in a situation, I figured you were a cradle Cub fan, never made the choice for yourself - that is not an insult. Despite all this, you lash back, and sadly, I can lump you together with all the half-wit Scrub fans. Who do I think I am? Well my posts began, because you personally called me out - you call me vile, you don't know me either - you might try thinking before you speak, listen to your own words before accusing.

You are welcome - I will never be a Scrub fan, not a day in my life. I bet if we cut you open, you would not "Bleed scrubbie blue" - Cardinal red actually! "

michelle24 wrote on May 8, 2008 7:44 AM:

" Who do you think you are comparing me to all cub fans? I'm a die hard, but that dos'nt mean I don't admit when we don't do so well. Did ya read my first post? You don't sound like a nice "kid" you are immature and pompus, and I thank you again for not being a Cub fan. Ignorance---yeah, ok, anything from you is a compliment. You won't run me off, I bleed CUBBIE BLUE!! "

Ron Santos Feet wrote on May 7, 2008 9:02 PM:

" Michelle, you seem like a nice kid, so I won't blame your ignorance. I grew up in Chi, went to college in Bloomington, and now I am back up north. Unfortunately, I would say the worst and most annoying fans I have ever met, are Cub fans. When you team sucks, you should readily admit it, not make excuses or blame curses. "Wait til next year" and "This is our year" mantra is idiotic. One of my joys in life is making fun of these disillusioned Scrub fans! 100 years! "

michelle24 wrote on May 7, 2008 6:51 PM:

" Oh, Ron Santos feet---Don't you realize that everytime you crap out of your mouth it makes you sound that much dumber (hopefully not as much as you probably look) I'm thrilled you are not a Cubs fan, and really, what's up with your name? You are vile, but you know that, and thrive on it. "

michelle24 wrote on May 7, 2008 5:57 PM:

" Ouch, that hurt...Ok, over it--GO CUBBIES!! "

AZKID wrote on May 7, 2008 4:33 PM:

" The Cubs are pathetic how does a team with high expectations with highly paid players lose series against Washington Nationals(worst team in baseball) and Cincinnati Reds(worst team in NLC). I would predict a Dbacks sweep this weekend but fortunately for the Cubs Webb isn't pitching in this series. GO DBACKS!!! "

Ron Santos feet wrote on May 7, 2008 4:27 PM:

" Wow - great game Scrubbies! How can you expect to win the NL Central when losing to the Reds? I have a feeling the Cubs are going to go at least 110 years without winning in October. Talk about a worthless franchise! "

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