Votto HR streak stopped inches from record

NEW YORK (AP) — Joey Votto came oh-so-close to matching the major league record with a home run in eight consecutive games, but Javier Báez did clear the fence in his New York debut and the Mets rallied past the Reds 5-4 in 10 innings.

With the Mets down to their final strike, Dominic Smith hit a tying single in the ninth.

Brandon Drury opened the bottom of the 10th with an RBI single that scored automatic runner Kevin Pillar from second base.

Votto, riding a seven-game homer streak, laced a line drive that hit the top of the right-field wall in the eighth.

Dale Long, Don Mattingly and Ken Griffey Jr. are the only players to homer in eight straight games.