Hernandez happy in new surroundings

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By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

07/09/09 12:56 AM ET

PHILADELPHIA -- Chalk up another example for why the term "change of scenery" has become cliche.

Take catcher Ramon Hernandez, who was miserable with the Orioles and traded to the Reds in the offseason for three players, including utilityman Ryan Freel. Since coming to Cincinnati, Hernandez has been a positive presence in the clubhouse and is often clutch on the field.

"I'm really happy where I am," Hernandez said on Wednesday. "This is a great organization with a great bunch of guys and the coaching staff. They teach the game the right way and we play the game the right way."

Hernandez is in the final guaranteed year of a four-year contract that pays him $8 million this season. It carries an $8.5 million club option for 2010 with a $1 million buyout. The 33-year-old sounded like someone that wants to stick around.

"This team has a lot of young guys but those young guys have a lot of talent," Hernandez said. "They will be great players. This is a good team. We have good pitching. Guys help each other out. You don't see anybody playing for their own numbers or being selfish."

It will be an interesting decision for the Reds at season's end. Backup rookie catcher Ryan Hanigan is batting .333, has handled the pitching staff well and has a 42 percent caught stealing rate. The staff's ERA was similar with either catcher -- 4.16 for Hernandez and 4.23 for Hanigan.

Admittedly frustrated with losing in Baltimore, Hernandez wore out his welcome and needed to be moved. Last season, he threw out only 20 percent of basestealers while committing nine errors and 10 passed balls.

This season, Hernandez has thrown out 23 percent of basestealers (8-of-35) but has just one error and zero passed balls. In 73 games, he is batting .251 with five home runs, 35 RBIs and a .329 on-base percentage.

However, Hernandez has shown an ability to come through when it counts -- with a .333 average with runners in scoring position.

In Tuesday's 4-3 victory over the Phillies, it was Hernandez's lined RBI single in the ninth that produced the game-winner.

"Everybody has to like those situations," said Hernandez, who was 1-for-3 with a single and a sacrifice fly in Wednesday's 3-2 loss. "You have nothing to lose and a lot to win. You contribute and make your team win. You always want to be in that spot. I don't mind. I'm just trying to do my best, that's all. I want to help my team win baseball games."

Pitching matchup
CIN: RHP Micah Owings (6-8, 4.48 ERA)
In his most recent start, Owings pitched his second consecutive solid outing, going six innings and allowing two runs in a 5-2 Reds win over the Cardinals. It was Owings' second consecutive win and his third in four starts. Owings also slugged his third home run of the season in the victory. In his career against the Phillies, Owings is 2-1 with a 4.13 ERA. The Phils touched him with five runs in three innings in their 12-5 win on May 25.

PHI: LHP Jamie Moyer (7-6, 5.72 ERA)
In his last start, the 600th of his career, Moyer pitched splendidly to ensure a victory over the Mets. In 6 1/3 innings, he allowed five hits, one run and one walk. He struck out one. It was a big win for Moyer, who improved to 7-6 with a 5.72 ERA, and the Phillies, who clinched just their third home series of the season. Moyer is 3-0 with a 3.11 ERA in his past three starts.

Reds notes
Joey Votto's career-best hitting streak reached 11 games Wednesday when he hit a fourth-inning single. He's batting .370 (17-for-46) in that stretch. ... The Reds are 3-6 when tied after eight innings this season. ... Cincinnati is 21-22 in road games in 2009.

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Up next
• Friday: Reds (Bronson Arroyo, 8-8, 5.85) at Mets (Fernando Nieve, 3-2, 2.73), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Reds (Johnny Cueto, 8-5, 3.45) at Mets (Johan Santana, 9-7, 3.29), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Reds (Aaron Harang, 5-8, 3.89) at Mets (Mike Pelfrey, 6-4, 4.52), 1:10 p.m. ET

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.