Major leagues:
Brendan Donovan and Paul Goldschmidt hit back-to-back homers in the fifth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals rallied from an early 5-0 deficit to beat the Washington Nationals 8-6 in a Juneteenth matinee on Monday.
Donovan’s three-run shot to right-center off Josiah Gray (4-6) tied the game 5-all, and Goldschmidt put the Cardinals ahead to stay when he lined a hanging curveball from Gray over the wall in left.
The Cardinals (30-43) won their third straight since falling a season-worst 16 games under .500, but they have their worst record through 73 games since 1990. St. Louis has only had one losing season since 2000, and manager Oliver Marmol said before the game his last-place team still expects to win the NL Central.
Jack Flaherty (4-5) gave up five runs on eight hits before getting five outs, but rediscovered his form and and pitched into the seventh inning. The right-hander, who came in leading the majors in walks with 43, issued his only walk in the seventh. His outing ended one batter later when he hit Lane Thomas with a pitch. Flaherty gave up six runs for the second consecutive start but won for the first time since May 15.
Génesis Cabrera got the final two outs in the seventh, Giovanny Gallegos worked the eighth and Jordan Hicks got three outs for his third save in three days while a big contingent of Cardinals fans stood and cheered behind their dugout.
Votto returns:
Joey Votto rejoined the Cincinnati Reds’ lineup Monday night after 10 months sidelined by an operation to repair his left biceps and rotator cuff.
The 39-year-old hit sixth and played first base in a series opener against Colorado in the first big league game since Aug. 16 for the 2010 NL MVP.
Votto was greeted with a standing ovation when he walked to the plate in the second inning and took off his helmet and waved to the crowd, then tapped it against his heart. Votto lined to center on an 0-1 slider from Austin Gomber.
Kevin Newman homered leading off the bottom of the first on Gomber’s fourth pitch and Nick Senzel hit a solo homer in the second, his first home run since returning Friday from an IL stint caused by right knee irritation.