First baseman Joey Votto admits he thinks about Rookie of the Year, knows he is probably second choice, knows that the odds are long because catcher Geovany Soto made the All-Star team and Soto plays for the Cubs.
"That doesn't mean I've given up on it, but I sincerely believe that when Geo was the catcher for the All-Star Game it was pretty locked up," Votto said. "But I want to finish strong and I want to play to my best capabilities, but you can't deny what he has done and what that club has done. Playing for the Cubs is a huge, huge deal, and I tip my cap to him. He's had a great, great year.
And so has Votto -- .289, 30 doubles, 22 home runs, 79 RBIs. Soto's numbers are similar -- .286, 35 doubles, 23 home runs, 86 RBIs.
Votto has continued stuffing the ballot box this week, hitting his 22nd home run and a two-run double Monday, then going 2-for-4 Tuesday.
Votto was asked if he wishes this season could continue, instead of ending after five more games on the road.
"I wish we were playing in October and I wish we were playing in the playoffs, but we didn't earn that this year," he said.
REDS 2, ASTROS 1: RHP Edinson Volquez finally earned his 17th win in his fourth try, holding the Astros to one run and six hits over 7 1/3 innings while walking only one and striking out eight. The Reds got him two runs in the first inning, the winning run on LF Jolbert Cabrera's run-scoring single, and Volquez made them stand up.
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