While the Cincinnati Reds might have lost in a dramatic game of ups and downs against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sept. 9, they came back to the defeat the Cardinals on Sept. 10 on a very special occasion indeed — Joey Votto’s 40th birthday. In fact, Votto even managed to get in a home run during the Reds’ decisive 7-1 victory over the Cardinals.

Keep scrolling for all of the dramatic moments we captured during the Cincinnati Reds’ games against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sept. 9 and 10.

Photos by Jon Sepchinski and Anders Saling

Joey Votto celebrates hitting a home run on his 40th birthday | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Elly De La Cruz signs a ball and talks to a girl before the game | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Elly De La Cruz attempts to catch a ball from Tyler Stephenson to catch Masyn Winn in the steal to second base | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Spencer Steer signs a child’s ball during pregame | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Will Benson celebrates the Reds’ win | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
A fan holds a sign wishing Joey Votto happy birthday | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Masyn Winn almost gets caught stealing a base in the top of the fourth inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
TJ Friedl fielding a ball that was hit to left field in the top of the first inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Tyler Stephenson grabs the foul ball to get the second out at the top of the third inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Spencer Steer throws out a runner at first in the top of the eighth inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Nick Senzel running toward third base to make it home and tie up the game | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Lars Nootbaar scores in the top of the first inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Lars Nootbaar celebrates in the dugout with teammates in the top of the first inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Alejo López throws out Masyn Winn at first in the second inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Alejo López scores for the Reds in the bottom of the second inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
John King attempts to throw out TJ Friedl at first off a bunt in the bottom of the seventh inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Ryan Helsley strikes out Will Benson to end the game | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
TJ Friedl steals second base but gets caught in the bottom of the fourth inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
TJ Friedl steals second base but gets caught in the bottom of the fourth inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Christian Encarnacion-Strand grounds out to third base in the bottom of the sixth inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Elly De La Cruz throws out Richie Palacios at first base in the top of the sixth inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Elly De La Cruz signs a ball and talks to a girl before the game | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Elly De La Cruz fielding a pop-up to shortstop in the top of the first inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Elly De La Cruz attempts to catch a ball from Tyler Stephenson to catch Masyn Winn in the steal to second base | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Fernando Cruz is excited as he strikes out Nolan Gorman in the top of the ninth inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Fernando Cruz is excited as he strikes out Nolan Gorman in the top of the ninth inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Carson Spiers throwing out first pitches in the top of the first inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 9, 2023 Photo: Jon Sepchinski
Will Benson celebrates a home run | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Will Benson hits a home run | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Jonathan India celebrates a home run | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Jonathan India celebrates a home run | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Will Benson celebrates a home run | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Hunter Greene starts on the mound for the Reds | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Joey Votto comes up to bat | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Jake Fraley steps up to bat | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Nick Martini celebrates hitting a triple | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Will Benson celebrates hitting a double | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Nick Martini comes up to bat | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Elly De La Cruz prepares to field | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Will Benson and Jonathan India celebrates the Reds’ win | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
TJ Friedl slides into third base for a triple | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Joey Votto steps up to bat on his 40th birthday | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Joey Votto prepares to field a fly ball | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Joey Votto celebrates hitting a home run on his 40th birthday | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Elly De La Cruz prepares to field | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
A sign celebrating Joey Votto’s 40th birthday | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Alexis Diaz comes in to pitch for the Reds in the ninth inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Joey Votto takes the field on his 40th birthday | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Jonathan India celebrates a home run | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
TJ Friedl celebrates hitting a home run | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Joey Votto prepares to field | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Joey Votto celebrates hitting a home run on his 40th birthday | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Hunter Greene pitches | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Nick Martini slides into third base for a triple | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Joey Votto plays first base | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Jonathan India prepares to field | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Jonathan India catches the final out | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
Spencer Steer gets thrown out at second base | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
TJ Friedl slides into third base for a triple | Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Sept. 10, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling