Twitter was a powder-keg as tonight’s game started with the rumor that Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto was going to have knee surgery and miss a couple weeks. It took a while, but the Reds did confirm that rumor, only it’s a little worse. He’s going to miss 3-4 weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery tomorrow to repair torn meniscus in his left knee.

John Fay reports:

From general manager Walt Jocketty: “Joey Votto met with the medical staff this evening and has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee. He is going to have arthroscopic surgery tomorrow and should miss 3-4 weeks. Joey is very comfortable with the decision and is eager to return to the lineup.”

From Votto: “It is in my best interest and in the best interest of the team to do it now so that I can be healthy during the last two months of the pennant race.”

Votto injured the knee during a rough slide into third base in San Francisco on June 29 and missed a few games. Since his return, he’s struggled since then, going 8-31 (.258).

The timing on this feels strange to me. Why, if his knee bothered him that much, did he go to the All Star game? Those 4 days would’ve made him that much closer to recovering from the surgery. It’s kind of mystifying right now and doesn’t make the Reds’ medical staff look competent.

As for the team, they’ll finally find out how to score without Votto, assuming they want to continue winning. It’s going to be astruggle to keep that first place lead over the next month, but it will open room for Todd Frazier to play on a more regular basis. And for Scott Rolen to show he does have something left in the tank. Oh, and for general manager Walt Jocketty to make a trade or two.

According to @JinAZReds, who just knows about this stuff, the fastest inside-the-park home run in Major League history took 14.02 seconds. Looks like Billy Hamilton, who isn’t quite Major League yet, just did one in 13.7. If he can get on base, this guy’s going to be pretty fun to watch with the Reds.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cardinals	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	9	0
Reds	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	-	4	10	1

Boxscore

The brooms were out as the Reds completed the sweep of the Cardinals last night on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball (Presented by Taco Bell).

Johnny Cueto would have taken the mound, but was suffering from a blister. How he got a blister over the All-Star Break, I don’t know, but it wasn’t too big a deal since everyone else was rested. Homer Bailey took his place and totally rocked it. He pitched 8.0 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 9 hits and 2 walks. He even got the win, since the Reds took the lead in the bottom of the last inning he pitched.

Aroldis Chapman struck out the last three guys for the save. It was the third game in a row that he pitched, so I imagine we won’t see him in tonight’s game.

For the offense, Chris Heisey went 3-for-4 and Joey Votto snapped his 2-game hitless streak with a 2-for-3 night, plus a walk. Brandon Phillips, Devin Mesoraco, and even Homer Bailey each contributed a hit.

It was, however, Scott Rolen’s night to shine. With 2 outs in the bottom of the eighth and runners on second and third, the Cardinals intentionally walked Ryan Ludwick to load the bases and get to Rolen. He made them pay with a line-drive single to right field that won the game.

The win brings the Reds record to 80-58 and once again gives them sole possession of first place in the NLC. Tonight they host the Diamondbacks who are fresh off being swept by the Cubs. Bronson Arroyo (4-5, 3.73 ERA) faces off against Wade Miley (9-5, 3.04 ERA). First pitch at 7:10 p.m.