After losing Joey Votto, Reds open series in Pittsburgh

The Cincinnati Reds will hit the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday not long after their first baseman, Joey Votto, undergoes season-ending shoulder surgery.

A victory could go a long way toward raising the spirits of their star, who will have a torn left rotator cuff repaired Friday afternoon.

The truth is that Votto has not been productive for some time as his shoulder has deteriorated. He did not play Wedn