Reds: Watch Matt Davidson’s 50th career homer as he fills in Joey Votto

Reds first Matt Davidson led the charge during a six-run second inning.

Joey Votto did not start Friday’s opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. There was no report of injury, so we must assume that face of the Cincinnati Reds franchise was just given the night off. His replacement at first base, Matt Davidson, proved why he’s on the roster with a three-run big fly in the top of the second inning.

With left-hander Eric Lauer on the mound for the Milwaukee Brewers, David Bell did what David Bell does and played the percentages. The Reds skipper stacked his lineup with right-handed hitters. The only left-hander in the lineup was designated hitter Jesse Winker.

Votto, who rarely gets a night off, was replaced in the lineup by Matt Davidson. The former Chicago White Sox slugger had started the season just 1-for-9 with an RBI. Davidson missed several games to begin the season following a positive test for COVID-19.

It was later reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer that Davidson never had COVID-19, but tested positive through an expedited test performed at a local health facility. Davidson tested negative on all subsequent tests provided by the league and was able to return to action last week.

Davidson settled into the cleanup spot in the Reds batting order last night and promptly went to work in the top of the first. With Nick Senzel aboard, Davidson was sawed off at the hands by a Lauer fastball, but muscled it into right field for a single.

Following an RBI double from Kyle Farmer, a sacrifice fly from Senzel, an RBI double from Nick Castellanos and a walk to Eugenio Suárez, Matt Davidson stepped to the dish with Cincinnati ahead 3-0. The 29-year-old wasted no time, as he launched the first pitch from Eric Lauer in straight-away center field over the outstretch mitt of Brewers centerfielder Ben Gamel.

The home run was Davidson’s 50th of his major league career and travelled 408 feet with an exit velocity of 100.2-MPH. The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 8-3, snapping a three-game losing streak. Look for Davidson to garner more opportunities after last night’s 2-for-5 performance. The Brewers send lefty Brett Anderson to the mound tonight.