Votto’s 4 hits lead Reds to 9-8 win over Brewers

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GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Joey Votto homered and had four hits, Brandon Phillips was 3 for 5 with two doubles and a walk-off single and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-8 on Monday night.

Phillips drove in Jonathan Reynoso from third base with no outs in the ninth. Reynoso was a pinch runner for Votto, who doubled leading off the inning against Jaye Chapman.

Votto singled to drive in Eugenio Suarez in the first inning and then hit his third homer of the spring in the second.

Phillips and Votto each had two RBIs. Votto singled to right field with Suarez on second in the fourth, but Keon Broxton threw Suarez out at home.

“We did a lot of good things offensively,” Reds manager Bryan Price said.

Robert Stephenson walked five, including the first three batters of the game, and allowed five runs over three innings.

Chase Anderson pitched four innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks for Milwaukee. Anderson’s opening innings have been rough all spring.

“He wasn’t crisp in the first inning,” Brewers manager Craig Counsel said. “Votto’s home run in the second was just a fly ball. We’ll keep an eye on him in the first inning. He’s aware of it.”

J.J. Hoover had his sixth scoreless appearance. He’ll try to fill Aroldis Chapman’s vacated role as Reds closer this season.

Votto, Phillips and Devin Mesoraco, who had to build endurance after hip surgery in June, played nine innings for the first time this spring.

“It was a pretty good investment for a spring training game,” Price said. “I was impressed with the effort. Devin took a foul ball off the foot and got through it.”

Martin Maldonado drove in two runs. Kirk Nieuwenhuis had two hits for the Brewers. Eric Young Jr. tied the game with an infield hit off Pedro Villarreal in the ninth.

STARTING TIME

Brewers: Anderson is the Brewers’ fifth starter.

Reds: Stephenson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on March 18 but injuries to Jon Moscot and Anthony DeSclafani made him an option to start the Reds’ third game April 7.

“The situation got the best of me,” said Stephenson, who walked the first three batters. “I started rushing my pitches. Any chance you get to throw in front of the coaching staff is an opportunity. I’m disappointed with how it went tonight. I definitely have stuff I’ve got to work on.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Brewers: OF Ryan Braun is out with a stiff lower back. He hasn’t played since March 21.

Reds: RHP Anthony DeSclafani has a strained left oblique. DeSclafani was the Reds’ first choice to be the opening day starter but his first start has been rescheduled to April 10 … RHP Jon Moscot pitched two innings in a minor league game. He had not pitched in a Cactus League game since March 11. Moscot will not be ready to pitch in a regular-season game until around April 17.

UP NEXT

Brewers: The Brewers and Reds meet again on Tuesday at Maryvale. RHP Wily Peralta will pitch for the Brewers. RHP A.J. Morris will pitch for the Reds

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