Cardinals can't overcome Votto's 2 homers, lose to Reds 5-4

CINCINNATI -- The Cardinals couldn't stop Cincinnati's hottest hitter or its fastest player.

Joey Votto had a pair of two-run homers -- the strongest indication yet that he's fully back in form -- and Billy Hamilton slid home on Todd Frazier's tiebreaking sacrifice fly on Friday night, keeping the Cincinnati Reds unbeaten with a 5-4 victory.

The Reds are 4-0 for the first time since 2011, when they won their first five games. They've won each game in their final at-bat. The Cardinals slipped to 1-2, with all three games decided by three runs or less.

"We're playing good baseball," said Jason Heyward, who singled home a run that tied it at 4 in the St. Louis seventh. "That's what you want day-in and day-out. You want to battle teams, play close games. It's a good steppingstone."

Votto homered off John Lackey in each of his first two at-bats. Frazier's sacrifice fly in the eighth off Jordan Walden (0-1) marked the second time this week that he's knocked in the deciding run.

Hamilton walked with one out to start the rally, stole second and made it to third on a wild pitch. Hamilton is one of the few runners fast enough to score Frazier's fly to Heyward in medium right field.

"It's got to be perfect," said Heyward, who made an on-target throw. "You've got to get rid of it as best you can. After that, you did your job. It was a good throw, but it didn't matter, it didn't get him. That's the part of speed."

J.J. Hoover (2-0) escaped a threat in the eighth. Aroldis Chapman gave up a hit and fanned two in the ninth for his second save.

Votto hit only six homers last season -- the last one on May 10 -- and didn't play after July 5 because of strained muscles above his left knee. He showed up for spring training feeling strong and has played to his 2010 National League MVP form so far.

He had his first multihomer game since May 13, 2012, and the 10th of his career. In four games, Votto is 7 for 17 with three homers and eight RBIs.

"The one was off a pretty good pitch," manager Mike Matheny said. "He just went out and drove it. We've seen him hit some pretty good pitches in the past, and he did today."

Jason Marquis made his first start in the majors since July 19, 2013 with San Diego. He had Tommy John surgery and made nine appearances in the minors with the Phillies last season as part of his comeback.

The 36-year-old was in line for the win, handing a 4-3 lead to the bullpen in the seventh. Marquis retired 12 in a row after Randal Grichuk's two-run homer. The Cardinals put together three singles in the seventh, with Heyward's hit up the middle tying it at 4.

Paying tribute

The Reds had a pregame tribute on the videoboard for of Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras and his girlfriend, who died in a car crash during the offseason. Also, a tribute to Lauren Hill, the college basketball player who died from a brain tumor on Friday.

Billy runs

Hamilton's steal left him 7 for 7 this season. He's also 7 for 7 career off Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.

Trainer's room

Cardinals: Reserve catcher Tony Cruz went on paternity leave. He's expected back on Monday. Catcher Ed Easley was called up from Triple-A Memphis for his major league debut.

Reds: RHP Homer Bailey is scheduled to make his first rehab start on Sunday at Triple-A Louisville. He's on the DL recovering from surgery on his forearm last September.