Votto's two-out double gave Cincinnati a 3-0 lead in the top of the third.
Brandon Phillips and Drew Sutton also drove in runs for the Reds, who made the most of seven hits, winning for the eighth time in their last nine games.
Winner Bronson Arroyo (14-13) surrendered a run and five hits in seven innings. He lost his shutout when Lastings Milledge hit a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh.
Closer Francisco Cordero earned his 39th save after giving up two hits and a walk in the bottom of the ninth.
Six others had one hit for the Pirates, who have lost six in a row.
Losing pitcher Charlie Morton (4-9) yielded four runs and six hits in seven innings.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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