Associated Press
 GOODYEAR, AZ - MARCH 11: Laynce Nix #17 of the Cincinnati Reds runs home to score during a Spring Training game against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 11, 2010 at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona. |
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Joey Votto homered for his first hit of spring training, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-1 victory over a Milwaukee Brewers split-squad on Thursday.
The first baseman was 0 for 9 before his long solo drive off left-hander Chris Capuano, who is trying to resume his career after elbow problems kept him out of the majors for the last two seasons.
“It was just a matter of time because Joey Votto can hit,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “Still, it’s nice to see him hit one on that (outfield) bank up there.”
The 31-year-old Capuano had reconstructive elbow surgery and is trying to get back to the majors for the first time since 2006, when he won 11 games for the Brewers. He pitched 2 1/3 innings against the Reds, giving up two runs, three hits and two walks.
Chris Dickerson, trying to fill Cincinnati’s opening in left field, had a run-scoring triple following a walk to Laynce Nix.
“The walk to Nix was very costly,” manager Ken Macha said. “I don’t worry about Joey Votto’s home run because he can hit. He isn’t the first or last guy to hit a home run off him. He was free and easy, but he got (deep) into his pitch count, so they worked him pretty good.”
Cincinnati’s Johnny Cueto pitched three scoreless innings, a major improvement over his first spring outing. He gave up four runs to Cleveland last Saturday, but kept the Brewers in check — one hit and one walk — after fixing a flaw in his delivery.
“I was working on using my legs to step more toward home plate,” Cueto said.
Chris Narveson started for the Brewers and gave up one hit and one walk in three scoreless innings, striking out three.
“Narveson was very good,” Macha said. “He had two baserunners, but threw a double-play ball. All of his pitches were working. His location was good.”
Jim Edmonds, in the Brewers’ camp as a non-roster player, had a pair of hits.
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