MILWAUKEE — Joey Votto and Laynce Nix hit solo home runs in the top of the 13th inning to give Cincinnati an 8-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night, despite the Reds blowing a five-run lead in the ninth.
Votto led off by hitting a 3-1 pitch from Todd Coffey (4-3) just over the left-field wall for his 19th home run. With two outs, Nix hit his second homer of the game, and 12th of the year, off Coffey, to center.
Daniel Ray Herrera (2-4) pitched the final two innings for the win.
Milwaukee scored five runs with one out in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 6-6, giving Cincinnati closer Francisco Cordero his second blown save in 28 chances.
Left fielder Darnell McDonald, recalled by the Reds from Triple-A Louisville earlier Tuesday, threw out Ryan Braun at the plate to end the ninth inning.
Cincinnati starter Bronson Arroyo scattered six hits and one walk while striking out four in seven innings. The right-hander has a 2.19 ERA in his last nine starts dating to July 10, but only has a 3-4 record in that span as the Reds have struggled with a slew of injuries.
Milwaukee starter Jeff Suppan struggled in his return from the disabled list, giving up four runs, nine hits and five walks with one strikeout in 4 1-3 innings. Out since July 27 with a left oblique strain, Suppan allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base in each of the first four innings, and gave up single runs in the second through fifth innings.
The Brewers had one out in the ninth when Frank Catalanotto reached on an error by reliever Jared Burton. Jason Kendall then hit an RBI double to make it 6-2 and pinch-hitter Mike Rivera walked, chasing Burton.
Felipe Lopez greeted reliever Arthur Rhodes with a single and Craig Counsell drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 6-3.
Cordero entered to face Braun, who hit a two-run single to bring Milwaukee within 6-5 and move Counsell to second. Prince Fielder followed with a single to load the bases.
Casey McGehee's single tied the score at 6. Mike Cameron flied out, but McDonald threw out Braun, who was tagging up, at the plate by a couple of steps for a double play.
Scott Rolen had four hits, scored twice and had an RBI for Cincinnati.
Lopez's solo homer in the third, his eighth of the year and second since joining Milwaukee on July 19, was the only run allowed by Arroyo.
Corky Miller, also recalled from Louisville on Tuesday, started at catcher and had two RBI singles. The Reds have 11 players on the disabled list and have 11 players on the roster who have spent time at Louisville this year.
NOTES: The Brewers optioned INF Hernan Iribarran to Triple-A Nashville. ... Suppan was reinstated off the DL despite posting an 11.57 ERA in two minor-league rehab starts. ... The roof was closed at Miller Park but water leaked through in the stands behind home plate during heavy rains.