Outfielder Laynce Nix is the people's choice, a player the fans want to see in the starting lineup, preferably in left field, where both Chris Dickerson (.204) and Jerry Hairston Jr. (.157) are struggling.
Manager Dusty Baker called Nix into his office Monday before a game against the Marlins to affirm Nix's position. Nix is hitting .333, but Baker told him his value is as a pinch-hitter and a fourth outfielder, although he told Nix he would play him enough to keep him sharp.
Baker pointed out that fans never heard of Laynce Nix until the Reds signed him to a minor-league deal and gave him an opportunity to make the team.
He did, however, tell Nix that he believed he would someday be an everyday player, but at this point he wants him to keep himself sharp and ready for anything.
MARLINS 3, REDS 2 (14 innings): SS Paul Janish made a throwing error on a double-play ball, enabling the Marlins to score the winning run. LHP Daniel Ray Herrera, the seventh Reds pitcher, was late getting to first base to cover on the play, which started with a groundball by Marlins 1B Jorge Cantu to Reds 1B Joey Votto.
