Homer Bailey pitched six outstanding innings in his first start in two months and reserve Miguel Cairo broke a scoreless tie with a two-run homer in the sixth as the Cincinnati Reds completed a three-game sweep of the Florida Marlins with a 2-0 victory Sunday.

Cincinnati, which entered tied for first with St. Louis in the National League Central, played most of the game without Joey Votto. The All-Star first baseman was ejected in the first inning for arguing balls and strikes.

The Reds' best hitter wasn't needed with the way Bailey pitched.

After being activated from the disabled list to make a spot start for the suspended Johnny Cueto, Bailey (2-2) allowed just three singles in six innings with four strikeouts. The right-hander surrendered a pair of base hits in the first, then retired 16 of the last 17 batters he faced.

Anbial Sanchez (9-8) was nearly as good, but he faltered in the sixth. Sanchez issued a one-out walk to Jonny Gomes and one batter later, Cairo – in the lineup to give Scott Rolen a rest – blasted a two-run shot to left field for a 2-0 lead.

Florida threatened in the seventh, but Logan Ondrusek struck out pinch hitter Chad Tracy with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Nick Masset tossed a scoreless eighth and Francisco Cordero worked around a leadoff single in the ninth for his 32nd save in 38 chances. Cordero struck out pinch-hitter Donnie Murphy with runners on the corners to end the game.

The Marlins have lost three straight, and have gone 0-for-19 with runners in scoring position in their last two defeats.

Sanchez allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked one.