Reds manager Jerry Narron knows what Joe Reds Fan wants. He had Edwin Encarnacion in the lineup Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Playing Encarnacion has become the cause of the moment for e-mailers and talk show callers.
Encarnacion has become a backup to Rich Aurilia, despite the fact Encarnacion went into Wednesday hitting .375 with a home run and six RBI in his last 11 games. (He went 0-for-4 Wednesday.) He also was leading the team in average with runners in scoring position at .319.
Aurilia is hitting .357 with three home runs and seven RBI since the All-Star break.
"I'd like to be able to play both of them," Narron said. "They both give us real good at-bats."
Narron does play both of them against left-handers, with Aurilia moving to first.
Narron, however, hasn't played Aurilia at second or shortstop lately to get him, Encarnacion and Scott Hatteberg in the lineup at the same time.
Brandon Phillips has been stellar defensively at second and has put his hitting slump behind him.
But the reason Aurilia has gotten the bulk of the playing time at third is defense. He has six errors; Encarnacion has 15.
Narron said as much when addressing the club's defense Wednesday.
"With Richie at third, we've got a solid guy at third," Narron said. "I know Eddie works hard. He's out there every day with early work."
-john fay