CINCINNATI -- Joey Votto homered and hit a go-ahead, two-run single in his return to the Cincinnati Reds' lineup after a 10-month absence that followed an operation to repair his left biceps and rotator cuff.
The 39-year-old hit sixth and played first base Monday night in a series opener against Colorado in his first big league game since Aug. 16. The 2010 NL MVP hit a 104.4 mph lineout to center in the second inning, then drove a first-pitch, belt-high fastball from Austin Gomber in the fifth. The 102 mph drive landed about a dozen rows into the right-field seats and put the Reds ahead 3-1.