In the third, Dillon Gee hit Reds star Joey Votto in the back with a pitch. There was really no reason to believe it was intentional. Still, in the eighth, the Reds' Sean Marshall retaliated, nailing David Wright in the stomach.

"I understand," Wright said. "That's how the game is played. Joey gets one and, although, it is not intentional, you protect your guys. So I understand."

The pitch didn't hurt Wright, as it mostly hit his uniform.

"It was done the right way," Wright said.

Mets manager Terry Collins said he wasn't surprised by the retaliation and didn't think it would linger through the weekend.

"I don't think so, unless we keep hitting Votto," Collins said.

Reds manager Dusty Baker -- who just finished a fight with Derek Lowe -- said it wasn't intentional.

• • •

• Dillon Gee gave up his four runs in the second and third innings, but then threw three scoreless innings.

"I felt I got a little stronger as the night went on," Gee said.

Collins thought Gee might be a little fatigued, but Gee said that wasn't a problem.

• Jay Bruce's inside-the-park home run was the second in Citi Field history and the first by an opponent. Angel Pagan had the other on in August 2009 off of Pedro Martinez, then a Phillie.

• Scott Hairston has a home run in five of his last seven home games.

• Ike Davis extended his hitting streak to six games (9-for-16, .563) . He had a single in the seventh.

• Justin Turner, who is coming to Flushing to replace Jason Bay on Saturday, went 1-for-4 while playing second base for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday. He has been out with a right ankle sprain since the end of last month.

• Ronny Cedeño had a single in four-at-bats for Buffalo. He played shortstop. He has been out since May 27 with a strained calf.