CINCINNATI — Brandon Finnegan allowed only one hit in seven innings, retiring the last 19 batters he faced, and Joey Votto homered for his first hit of the season Wednesday night, sending the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Reds evened a series that concludes this afternoon.
The start of the game was delayed 50 minutes because of storms. The middle innings were played through a steady rain that worked to the pitchers’ favor.
Finnegan (1-0) allowed a walk in the first inning and Maikel Franco’s single to center. He then retired 19 straight, fanning nine of them, and threw 88 pitches in all.
The Phillies got a pair of infield singles off Michael Lorenzen in the eighth. Raisel Iglesias gave up another infield single before completing the four-hitter for his first save. Philadelphia hit only four balls out of the infield.
Votto led off the seventh with a home run off Jerad Eickhoff (0-1), who allowed only two hits through the first six innings. Votto was 0 for 6 when he connected. Adam Duvall followed with a double and scored on Zack Cozart’s single.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan throws during the second inning of the team’s baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
http://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2017/04/web1_115918092-27fd26608c974997bd2bf8e3db1fce58.jpgCincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan throws during the second inning of the team’s baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Cincinnati Reds’ Joey Votto (19) celebrates his solo home run off Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff with Adam Duvall (23) during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
http://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2017/04/web1_115918092-6c277f08a2844287bbbd0ed6641adbfb.jpgCincinnati Reds’ Joey Votto (19) celebrates his solo home run off Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff with Adam Duvall (23) during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff throws during the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
http://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2017/04/web1_115918092-2a7be5cffd794622a52de181292bb0f6.jpgPhiladelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff throws during the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
