--SS Alex Gonzalez is still hitless for two years -- he sat out all of last year with a knee injury and has begun this season 0-for-16. He'll maintain his spot in the lineup, batting eighth, because his glove is so valuable.
--OF Laynce Nix, the only true left-handed bat off the bench, was 0-for-4 in his first pinch-hitting assignments. But he doubled in the ninth inning Monday against the Brewers. He won't play much because the club lacks left-handers off the bench. --RHP Micah Owings has yet to throw a pitch for the Reds, but he already has two pinch-hitting appearances this season (1-for-2 with a double). Owings, a career .322 hitter (38-for-118), will be used often as a pinch hitter on days when he doesn't start.
--SS Alex Gonzalez last had a hit in 2007, missing all of 2008 with a knee injury and starting this season 0-for-12. However, he isn't likely to be benched due to his effective glove and the fact that manager Dusty Baker still believes in his bat.
BY THE NUMBERS: 0 -- Quality starts the first time through the rotation, a stretch that ended April 12 when RHP Aaron Harang threw a shutout.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "What I'm telling my team right now is the title of John Wooden's book, 'Be Quick and Don't Hurry.'" -- Manager Dusty Baker.
