No. 3: Joey Votto's career day lifts Cincy to win on Mother's Day

 

Today marks day 10 of the Top 12 Games of the Reds Season series. The campaign may have ended abruptly, and in somber fashion, but there is still plenty to smile about when thinking about the past six months or so. We will be counting down the greatest contests from the year each day until we reach the number one spot.

But for now, here is No. 3 on the list:

 

May 13, 2012

 

Reds 9, Nationals 6

 

+ In perhaps the most thrilling victory all season long, Joey Votto's walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth seals a 9-6 win over Washington on Mother's Day. Votto homers three times in all, and adds a double for good measure, en route to a career day with which he tallies six RBI and four runs as well.

The start of the game is delayed for three hours and 36 minutes, but the finish is well worth the wait. Cincy outscores the Nationals 6-1 in the final two innings to escape being swept at home, and helps lift their record over the .500 mark (17-16). Rain runs many fans off to shelter, which leaves a sparse crowd to witness the improbable comeback at GABP.

Ryan Hanigan pounds out a pair of hits and Sean Marshall earns his first win as a Red after tossing a scoreless inning of relief in the ninth.

Mike Costanzo even makes his big league debut as a pinch-hitter in the fifth when he lifts a sacrifice fly to center on the first pitch he sees.

For those wanting to check out prior games on the list:

No. 12 - Reds pound out 17 hits to complete sweep of Tribe
No. 11 - Valdez's walk-off bunt lifts Cincy over Detroit
No. 10 - Team retires No. 11 in honor of Barry Larkin
No. 9 - The 'Toddfather' blasts a walk-off homer
No. 8 - A barrage of homers produces GABP record
No. 7 - Reds fire on all cylinders in San Francisco
No. 6 - Bruce's big fly produces walk-off victory
No. 5 - Opening Day goes just as planned
No. 4 - Reds win first playoff game since 1995