



Nix was nearly as coy when asked why he was sidelined.






Gomes flashes speed on three-hit night

CINCINNATI -- During his three-hit night on Friday vs. the Cardinals, Reds left fielder Jonny Gomes had two infield hits. Gomes, who isn't known for his speed, was asked on Saturday when the last time he had two infield hits in a game.

"I don't think I've had two infield hits for my career," Gomes said.

In the ninth inning, Gomes narrowly beat out a tough grounder deep to the hole fielded by Cardinals shortstop Brendan Ryan.

"I don't really consider that second one an infield hit. It is in the books," said Gomes, who scored later in the inning to make it a one-run game. "It was way in the hole. He was probably only one of three people that can get to that ball and throw it."

Baker recalls pitchers' attitudes of hitters

CINCINNATI -- While talking about Saturday's MLB Beacon Awards luncheon, Reds manager Dusty Baker mentioned he was friends with former Giants pitcher Randy Moffitt -- the brother of tennis great and Beacon honoree Billie Jean King. Baker was a player with the Dodgers and Braves during that time and said rare was the time an opposing team's pitcher would befriend a hitter.

"Hitters and pitchers didn't hang out together from opposing teams. They didn't want to like you in case they had to hit you," Baker said.

Baker remembered friend and Hall of Famer Hank Aaron was close to two pitchers from the opposition -- Bob Gibson and Jerry Koosman.

"Bob Gibson hit John Milner that night, right in the back," Baker recalled. "Hank asked him why he hit Milner. He said he heard he could hit. This was a Spring Training game. I was real quiet because my batting average was higher than Milner's. I was like, 'What did you hear about me?'"

Worth noting

Class A Lynchburg catcher and 2007 first-round Draft pick Devin Mesoraco has reached base in 20 straight games after a 2-for-4 night on Friday. In 31 games, Mesoraco was batting .336 (37-for-110) with seven home runs, 24 RBIs, a .431 on-base percentage and .627 slugging.