Reds' Votto pops up to 1B for 1st time in career

Joey Votto has a reputation both as the most patient hitter in the game and for almost never popping out in the infield.

In fact, Votto had never popped out to first base ... until Wednesday.

In the top of the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cincinnati Reds veteran hit a pop-up to Cody Bellinger in foul territory.

It marked the first time in 6,828 career plate appearances over 1,592 games that he's done this, according to MLB Stats.

Entering Wednesday, Votto had hit a total of 16 infield fly balls over his 13-year career and didn't hit one in all of 2018. The last time he popped out in the infield was nearly two full years ago, on May 17, 2017, against the Chicago Cubs.

All told, his 1.1 percent infield fly ball rate - based on all contact that results in a fly ball - is best among all active players.