Joey Votto robbed by Carlos Gomez for final out as Reds lose 4-3 to Brewers

MILWAUKEE — Joey Votto took a few steps toward center field, clamoring to see the ball. When Carlos Gomez flipped his glove open as he ran toward the infield, the game was over.

Votto was robbed of a potential go-ahead homer when Gomez made a spectacular catch for the final out, sending the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.

"The whole thing is really a random occurrence and it's what makes baseball so special," Votto said. "Carlos has had a fantastic year this year. Today he didn't have a good game offensively and he goes out and makes a game-changing play on the defensive end.

"You know, I did everything I could, and he made a great play."

Reds right-hander Homer Bailey allowed a season-high 10 hits and four runs in his first start since his second career no-hitter. Chris Heisey hit a solo homer for Cincinnati, and Jay Bruce and pinch hitter Xavier Paul each had an RBI single.

But Gomez made the biggest play of the game when he used a perfectly timed jump to grab Votto's drive, sending a charge through the crowd on an otherwise sleepy night at Miller Park. The dramatic conclusion came after pinch hitter Derrick Robinson walked with two outs.

Votto made an appeal to see the ball in Gomez's glove while he celebrated in the outfield, and sure enough, it was there.

Jonathan Lucroy homered for the third consecutive game for last-place Brewers, who had dropped three of four. Jean Segura went 3 for 3, and Kyle Lohse (5-6) pitched into the seventh inning for his fourth consecutive winning decision.

Bailey was coming off an absolute gem at home against San Francisco last Tuesday night, when he struck out nine and allowed just one baserunner on a seventh-inning walk. The impressive performance in the Reds' 3-0 victory gave Bailey a chance to become the second pitcher in major league history to throw consecutive no-hitters.

That opening was slammed shut in the first inning.

Segura dumped a 1-2 pitch into right field for a base hit with one out. He then stole second and went to third on a throwing error by catcher Devin Mesoraco before Lucroy hit his 11th homer to give the Brewers a 2-1 lead.

"It was just one of those days," Bailey said. "Just never could find a rhythm."

Bailey (5-7) was replaced by Logan Ondrusek after he hit Segura with a pitch with two out in the sixth. He allowed a season-high 10 hits and walked three.

"He got out of some tough jams," Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

Lohse was pulled after he allowed singles to three of the first four batters in the seventh. Heisey was erased when Mesoraco grounded into a double play, but pinch hitter Cesar Izturis and Shin-Soo Choo singled to put runners on the corners.

John Axford came in and surrendered Paul's run-scoring hit to make it 4-3, but he bounced back to strike out Votto, limiting the damage.

"We don't win them easy," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said.

Jim Henderson worked the eighth and Francisco Rodriguez finished for his ninth save in nine chances and No. 303 for his career, tying Doug Jones for 22nd on the major league list.

Rodriguez had his left arm over his head and his right hand on the brim of his cap as he walked around in disbelief after Gomez's game-ending grab.

"He's so athletic and explosive," Lohse said of Gomez. "You just see him get good reads. It's pretty fun to watch."

Milwaukee got Ryan Braun back from the disabled list, but he did not play in the Brewers' second win in seven games against Cincinnati this season. Braun, who had been out with a bruised right thumb, took batting practice for the second straight day and could return to the lineup on Tuesday.

While the 2011 NL MVP returned to the active roster, third baseman Aramis Ramirez went back on the DL again with a nagging left knee injury.

"He's a tough guy," Baker said. "I don't know what we're going to do tomorrow. I don't know if he's going to be all right or not."