CINCINNATI - Shortstop turned 911 pitcher Paul Janish reached into his locker and pulled out a Baseball, authenticated as the ball he used to strike out J.J. Hardy, Janish's first-ever major-league strikeout.
He did not have the ball Prince Fielder hit so hard for a three-run home run that it probably is lopsided with some popped stitches. With the Reds trailing 10-3 in the ninth inning Wednesday, May 6, and his bullpen battered and bruised, Reds manager Dusty Baker asked Janish to pitch the ninth inning. He did and he gave up five runs, but struck out two.
"Dusty told me I was down today, no appearance tonight," Janish said with a laugh after throwing 35 pitches. "I'm a little sore, but the pitchers told me I'd be more sore tomorrow (today)."
Janish was back at shortstop Thursday.
"I enjoyed it," he said. "It was not an ideal scenario for the team, but under the circumstances, I definitely enjoyed it."
Janish threw nothing but fastballs and changeups, "No breaking balls because I didn't want to do anything crazy (like hurt his arm)." His early fastballs were at 91 and 92 mph, but as fatigue set in they dropped to 88.
Nix gets chance
Laynce Nix started in left field Thursday in place of struggling Chris Dickerson, who was hitting .217 and was summoned to Baker's office before the game.
"I told him, 'You have to go back to work and get things back together,' " Baker said. "Nix is going good right now (.353 heading into Thursday's game). We have to win ballgames. I'm not saying it is Dickerson's fault, but Nix is doing his thing."
Differing opinions
Alex Gonzalez, he of the sore left side muscle, played catch before Thursday's game and planned to do some light hitting today, "Then I hope to play Saturday or Sunday."
Baker called Gonzalez's game plan premature and optimistic and said, "It's more likely he won't be back until after the off day between Arizona and San Diego (Thursday)."
Said Gonzalez, "I'm getting better every day and feel a whole lot better today than I did yesterday."
Speak softly
Before Wednesday's game, broadcaster Marty Brennaman mentioned to Baker the Reds were No. 1 in the National League in team ERA. Then the Reds gave up 15 runs (14 earned) to the Brewers and the ERA jumped to 3.99, fifth in the league.
"Marty told me we were No. 1 before yesterday's game," said Baker, who was then told the last time the Reds led the league in pitching at the end of the season was 1940. "Well, let's wait to talk about it until the end of the season and I'll be happy as a dog."
Quote of the day
"A 50-day suspension is a long time and that'll hurt the Dodgers. I just hate that another star goes down and we sure can't afford to have any more heroes go down." - Baker on the suspension of Manny Ramirez for testing positive on a drug test.
