Votto’s home run powers Reds past Phillies

Published 12:41 am Sunday, March 1, 2009

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Joey Votto homered and hit an RBI single Friday as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies 10-3.

The World Series champion Phillies are 0-3 in spring training and have scored a total of seven runs.

Reds starter Bronson Arroyo gave up a run in two innings. Shane Victorino and newly acquired Raul Ibanez hit consecutive doubles in the Phillies’ first.

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‘‘Honestly, you don’t know where any pitches are going,’’ Arroyo said. ‘‘You don’t know whether you’re going to bounce the ball in the dirt or paint the black. If they’re hitting the ball around the park, at least you’re throwing the ball over the dish.

‘‘No matter how you’re established in the game, you don’t want to go 3-1 and walk a bunch of guys.’’

Overall, Arroyo was satisfied. He faced nine batters and walked one with no strikeouts.

‘‘It usually takes two starts into the season before I feel I’m really game ready,’’ he said. ‘‘This year, maybe I can go deeper in games toward the end.’’

Juan Francisco and Jonny Gomes hit consecutive doubles off Andrew Carpenter in the Reds’ four-run first inning. Manager Dusty Baker had Francisco batting fourth, which is where he hit in the Dominican winter league.

‘‘He’s what you want to see in a young hitter,’’ Baker said. ‘‘He’s aggressive. You want someone you can tone down, not tone up. His strikeouts are from inexperience, but you can turn that flame down. It’s hard to turn it up.’’

Carpenter is trying to earn a starting job with the Phillies, but he failed to retire a batter, walking three and allowing three hits.