"Reds manager Dusty Baker asked Joey Votto on Monday if he would like Tuesday off.

Votto had started all but one game this season. The Milwaukee Brewers were starting a left-hander. And it was a day game after a night game.

"He said: 'I'm fine, skip,' " Baker said.

Baker didn't insist because he had planned to give third baseman Scott Rolen the day off.

"I couldn't have Scotty and Joey out," Baker said.

It worked out perfectly. Votto hit a home run onto the boat deck in center to cut the lead to 4-2 in the eighth inning, then Rolen hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the ninth to tie the game before Votto singled in the winning run.

Votto was pretty adamant about wanting to be in the lineup.

"I want to play every single day," Votto said. "I don't ever want a day off. I'm prepare myself to play every day."

QUALITY START: Homer Bailey, like Johnny Cueto, followed his complete game shutout with a solid start.

Bailey went seven innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out four.

All damage was done in the first. He gave up a home run to Ryan Braun and an RBI single to Casey McGehee.

"It was little rough there," Bailey said. "The only bad pitch I thought I made in the first was to Ryan. Leave a pitch out over the plate for him and he's going to do some damage. The slider McGehee hit was a good pitch. He got out in front of it. From there, I didn't really cruise but I went through the next couple of innings and kept the team in the game.

"To go seven and only give up two is still a pretty good start.""