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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 2:42 AM Friday, June 12, 2009

WASHINGTON — The question for Dusty Baker from an out-of-town writer was innocent and innocuous: "What has Ramon Hernandez done for you this year?"

Said Baker, "Ramon could be our MVP, actually. Without Joey Votto, well, the way he has played first base and the way he has caught. He's our best two-out when you need a base hit clutch guy.

"Plus, he has been great on the team, a great attitude and between him and Alex Gonzalez coming back are the two most important guys we've had in our lineup," Baker added.

Hernandez has started at first base 18 times during Votto's absence and played it as if he played it forever.

"I always thought catchers could play third and first,"Baker said. "He's agile, limber, can stretch, picks 'em out of the dirt. This gives (catcher) Ryan Hanigan a chance to play and it will keep Hernandez strong for win Joey comes back. As long as he doesn't forget how to catch."

Bruce on the loose

Jay Bruce walked (and that's another story) to open the 12th inning Wednesday when the game was tied, 2-2. When Alex Gonzalez bunted, nobody covered third and Bruce alertly went from first to third. Then he scored what proved to be the winning run.

"I wanted to go home," said Bruce, referring to the 12 innings that included a 2:10 rain delay. "I looked up to make sure there was nobody who could beat me to third."

In his last six games, Bruce has six walks and two strikeouts.

Of his increasing number of walks, Bruce said, "The scouting reports say I'll swing at anything and until I prove otherwise they are going to try to make me chase. Walking more helps because I'm seeing the ball better and laying off the pitches out of the strike zone. If I swing at balls in the strike zone, I give myself a chance. I know it isn't going to happn in one day and isn't going to happen in two days, but that's my plan and I'm sticking to it."

Hanigan's day off

Catcher Ryan Hanigan caught all 12 innings Wednesday that included a 2:10 rain delay, caught all nine innings Tuesday after a 1:47 minute rain delay before it started, caught all 14 innings Sunday and caught all 11 innings Saturday.

On Thursday he rested.

"He needs a rest, plus Adam Rosales hasn't played in a few days and (catcher) Ramon Hernandez and Micah Owings work well together."

Of Owings, Bakers said, "He has pitched better than his record and we want to give him a chance to win. All people see is his record, but he has pitched well enough to have his record (3-7 before Thursday) to have that record reversed."

Gomes: always ready

Because he starts only against left-handed pitchers, Jonny Gomes doesn't get that many starts, but when he does he produces, witness his two hits Tuesday. And his pinch-hit double Wednesday in the 12th won the game.

"He stays ready," said Baker. "That's the secret in coming off the bench. It is easier to turn it off than turn it on. Rarely does he turn it off. But, hey, in order to win you need all kind of people performing. Everybody knows they are going to play and they stay ready to play."

Asked about the difference between being an extra guy in the National League as opposed to the American League, which has the designated hitter, Gomes said in his inimitable way, "In the American League, if you aren't playing, you can almost check out."

Quote of the day

"Maybe we can get out of here before Adam Dunn hits a home run." — Baker, after watching the Nationals left fielder go 0 for 6 (three walks) and strand five runners in the first two games.

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I agree that a good case could be made for Hernandez as team MVP so far. His offensive numbers are solid, and beyond the numbers, he has been a clutch hitter. Between that and capably replacing Votto at 1B, he has been a big reason the Reds are hanging in there so far.

Any one know if Hanigan can also play 1B?

JRed
9:52 AM, 6/13/2009

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Another Baker sly attempt to insure the easy removal of Hanigan, when Votto comes back, and Baker wants Hernandes back at catcher.

Bill In Georgetown
9:49 AM, 6/12/2009

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