Jay Bruce Back To Square Two

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When a player struggles the way Jay Bruce has this season, the remedy used by coaches is to break down his swing and get it back to square one.

Tonight, manager Bryan Price is trying out square two, as in the second spot in the Reds' batting order behind Billy Hamilton.

"I'm just trying to do some things to shake it up for us," said Price, who has watched his team average fewer than two runs per game in the nine games (16 runs).  "Maybe putting Jay behind Billy will get him some good pitches to hit."

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Bruce, who referred to himself as employee number 32, is all for it.

"That's where I started out in 2008," Bruce said reveling in the good old days.  "It was the first spot I ever hit in.  Hopefully, I can channel some of that."

Bruce hit .400 the spring of 2008 but it was a soft .400.  He had a lot of seven hoppers and bloopers early in spring against pitchers that were only throwing fastballs to get ready for the season.  He tailed off at the end of the spring but fans only saw the average and screamed for the Reds to take Bruce north from Sarasota.  Dusty Baker and the Reds' front office knew better.

Bruce went to Louisville for the start of the season. 

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The Reds first pick in the 2005 draft played 49 games in Louisville, hitting .364 with 10 home runs and 37 RBI.

Bruce made his Major League debut on May 27 against the Pittsburgh Pirates batting second between Jerry Hairston and Ken Griffey Jr against Ian Snell.

Bruce was 3-for-3 with two walks in five plate appearances. 

The rookie continued hitting in his first two series from the second spot in the batting order.  Bruce had nine hits in 13 at bats in his second series against the Atlanta Braves in a three-game weekend series.  His first home run was a walk-off in the 10th inning on May 31 off Manny Acosta.  On Sunday of that series, Bruce walked but catcher Brian McCann caught him stealing secondbase.  After that game McCann told reporters, "We found a way to get Jay Bruce out.  Walk him then catch him stealing."

Bruce finished the first season with a .254 average with 21 home runs and 52 RBI.

Now six seasons into his career, Bruce has become a key part in the Reds lineup but he has struggled.

"It is no secret that I've been struggling," Bruce said.  "There are no excuses. I expect to play better. But it's possible I'll get some pitches as teams focus on Billy. We put higher expectations on ourselves than people on the outside does."