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Reds hit 4 homers in inning off Lieber and crush Cubs 9-0
2008-05-08
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. 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.
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