Bronson Arroyo pitched seven strong innings and helped his own cause with a three-run homer as the Cincinnati Reds avoided a sweep with a 7-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.

Joey Votto added a two-run homer and Brandon Phillips chipped in a solo shot for the Reds, who had managed to score just two runs in the first two games of the series.

Arroyo (6-3) snapped a three-start winless streak by allowing one run on five hits and striking out one. The right-hander struggled with his command, issuing six walks and managing just 56 strikes on 104 pitches, but worked around the trouble by inducing eight groundouts - including three double plays.

Trailing 1-0 in the second after allowing an RBI single to the opposing pitcher in the top of the frame, Arroyo got back at the Dodgers in the bottom half when he drove a 1-1 pitch from John Ely over the left-field wall to put Cincinnati on top, 3-1.

It was the first homer of the season and fifth of his career for Arroyo.

The Reds extended the lead with Votto’s 14th homer of the season in the third and Phillip’s ninth blast of the year in the fifth. Jay Bruce added an RBI single to complete the scoring.

Ely (3-4) surrendered seven runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings.