Jonny Walker Gomes

Jonny Gomes is getting the night off.  Not due to poor performance far from it.  In the team concept the Reds use everybody plays, everybody stays ready.

Jay Bruce sat last night because Chris Heisey needed to play.  Heisey had a great spring and Dusty Baker didn't want him to lose it by sitting two long.

"We needed to get Heisey in there two days in a row.  Plus we have a day game after a night game so we will have a fresh Jonny Gomes tomorrow," Baker said.

Gomes signed with Cincinnati three years ago, when he didn't have a job.  Baker picked the spots for him to play in which he could be successful.  He had trouble breaking into a Tampa Bay lineup that had 10 years of high draft choices.  His development was obstructed by an array of talent.  Gomes not the most talented but one of the hardest workers.

Gomes walked 39 times all last season.  He has walked seven times in four games this season already.

"He used to get himself out," Baker said.  "He's come a long way. It starts with concentration and focus. Early in the count if its not a good pitch to hit. You don't swing at it.  So, that's how you get walks.  You don't get walks by just taking pitches.  You get them by not swinging at low percentage pitches."

"It's hard to get the big bass by throwing out bad bait.  You catch the little fish because they take the first bait you throw out there.  Jonny's a hitter not a taker but you swing at better pitches to hit."

On the flip side the Reds starting pitchers have walked just four in four games.

"That's what you try to do too," Baker said.  "If you're not walking people but you're getting walks there is a good chance that you're winning."