Votto reaches career milestone in 15th season with Reds

Fans at Great American Ball Park gave Votto a standing ovation as he stood on first base. He applauded right back and then tipped his helmet to them.

The hit came in Votto’s 15th big-league season. He has played them all with the Reds. He’s a career .303 hitter.

Votto began the day with 1,998 hits. He walked in the first inning and singled in the third. After striking out in the fifth, he reached the milestone in the seventh and then recorded another single in the same inning as the Reds tallied eight runs, extending their lead over the Cubs to 12-0.

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The only Reds ahead of Votto on the career hit list are: Pete Rose (3,358 hits with the Reds); Barry Larkin (2,340); Dave Concepcion (2,326); and Johnny Bench (2,048).

Votto ranks fourth in Reds history in runs scored (1,090), one behind Bench. He’s third in home runs (321), three behind Frank Robinson and third in RBIs (1,041).

Votto joined Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera on the list of active players with 2,000 hits, 300 home runs and 1,000 RBIs. Those three players, plus Yadier Molina, are the only active players with 2,000 hits.