Votto touched off a three-run third with an RBI double and the Reds broke things open with a four-run fifth that featured a two-run single by Jay Bruce. Votto scored one of his three runs on Bruce's base hit.
Cincinnati won its third straight and Pittsburgh has lost five in a row. The Pirates, on their way to a third straight last-place finish in the National League Central, have dropped 22 of their last 25 games.
Homer Bailey (6-5) picked up the easy win by going six innings, giving up two runs on four hits. Kevin Hart (8-8) surrendered eight runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Bailey has won all three of his starts against the Pirates this year.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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