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Joey Votto ended his comeback and exit from the Blue Jays, only to lose 11-7 to his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, on Wednesday as Toronto blew a six-run lead.
After scoring five runs in the fifth and three runs in the sixth inning, respectively, the Reds (62-65) scored 11 straight points to give Toronto (59-68) a 6-0 lead behind home runs by George Springer, Spencer Horwitz and Ernie Clement.
Before the first pitch of the Blue Jays’ series finale against the team where Votto played for 17 years was thrown, the Toronto native announced his retirement on social media.
“That’s it, I’m done. I’m officially retired from baseball,” he said.
“Toronto + Canada, I wanted to play in front of you. Alas, I played for my people with all my heart. I’m not that good anymore. Thank you for all the support you’ve given me during my endeavors.”
Votto, 40, signed with his hometown Blue Jays during spring training but suffered an ankle injury.
He began rehab with Triple-A Buffalo a few weeks ago, and there were rumors that he would make his Toronto debut this week against the Reds. But he has struggled with the Bison, batting just .143 in 15 games.
Votto was named the National League Most Valuable Player in 2010. The six-time All-Star has a career batting average of .294 with 2,135 hits, 356 home runs and 1,144 RBIs.
As word of Votto’s victory spread through the 27,057 fans at the Rogers Centre, Springer hit his 60th career home run. Horwitz hit a two-run homer three batters later.
Springer hit two homers on Tuesday and Horwitz hit one. The Blue Jays have hit at least one home run in 10 consecutive games, their longest streak since a 12-game streak in 2021 (Aug. 28-Sept. 9).
Ernie Clemente gave the Reds a six-run lead with a three-run blast in the third inning, but Spencer Steele’s two-run blast to Yariel Rodriguez in the fourth inning gave the Reds their first run.
Jonathan India’s run-scoring single in the fifth knocked out Rodriguez. He pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing six hits, five runs, two walks and six strikeouts.
Cincinnati starting pitcher Nick Martinez also pitched 4 1/3 innings, giving up six runs.
Former Blue Jays infielder Santiago Espinal took the lead off a walk from relief pitcher Erik Swanson with the bases loaded in the fifth inning.
Noelvi Marte and the Indians hit back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning, and Elly De La Cruz added another in the eighth.
Leo Jimenez hit a double in the ninth inning to score.
Toronto relief pitcher Brandon Little (1-2) took the blame for the loss, while Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan (3-3) picked up the win.
Vashu’s winning streak
Dalton Vashaw hit a single in the third inning to extend his at-bat streak to 19. It is currently the longest streak in the American League.
On Deck
The Blue Jays begin a four-game series at home against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. Neither team has announced its starting lineups.
Toronto could use relief pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (4-2) who has starting experience.
Chris Bassitt was supposed to get the nod, but Schneider pushed his appearance back a day to play a doubleheader in Boston on Monday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Aug. 21, 2024.
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