Now that that Cincinnati Reds have benched left fielder Jonny Gomes, manager Dusty Baker was asked about his plans. The answer is he’s going to take the approach they likely should have been doing since the start of the season: matching up hitters against pitchers, primarily between Chris Heisey and Fred Lewis.

“Unless, someone steps up and just takes it,” Baker said. “But we do need Gomes’ sock in our ballpark. Jonny’s a streaky guy. He’s been working his butt off to get his stroke back together and get his mind right. He’s a guy who can carry you for a few weeks. He’s working hard. He’s not shelved completely. We’re trying to get him back in sync.”

The first time I read that quote from Baker, I envisioned Gomes wearing just one sock when he played left field. I would think that would make him wear through one cleat faster than the other.

But Baker’s right, Gomes’ power has been missing. Lewis doesn’t have the pop. Heisey might, but he hasn’t had the chance to show it yet. Really, this is Heisey’s best chance at getting more starting time and jumping out of the pinch-hitter role he’s done so well at. Until then, we’ll just have to rely on Jay Bruce, I guess.

There are days I feel pretty darn good after the night’s run. Some night I even think I might like to go again. And then, there are nights like tonight. Thank goodness my one remaining MBA class will require me to skip running tomorrow (and, yes, that’s the first time I’ve ever thought “thank goodness I have to go” for this particular class).

Even if I’m still bitching and moaning come June 11 (in “Cardinal mode” as we call it ’round the Red Hot Household), at least I’ll be looking good doing it thanks to our badass team t-shirts that just went on sale yesterday. And now you, too, can join in the fun (at least the non-running parts should be a righteous time) by following three simple steps:

1. Go to http://reds.com/5k to register for the Redlegs Run.
2. Email blogjog@reds.com to say you’ll be at the Blog Jog events before and/or after the run.
3. Go to Cafe Press to order your Red Hot shirt, in styles for women or men.

You pay to register for the run, but there’s no additional charge for hanging with the bloggers. You also have the pay for the shirt, but there’s no additional charge unless you look better in it than I do.

Just in time for the Blog Jog on June 11, the Crack Shirt-Design Staff introduces our new Run Like a Girl design. Now, you too, can dress like your favorite female Cincinnati Reds blogger.

Visit Cafe Press soon to get your shirt in time for the event. We ordered ours tonight, and expect to get it a week before the race.

Women’s shirt: http://www.cafepress.com/redhotmama.542852618

Men’s shirt: http://www.cafepress.com/redhotmama.542855535

Drat. I was so sure I was going to get out of training tonight when rain canceled my son’s baseball practice. Unfortunately, the clouds blew through leaving a lovely evening for running. Really that’s “fortunately,” since every bit of pain I endure now will make me less likely to puke on June 11.

As you know, if you’ve been following this Blog Jog silliness, one of the fun things for participants will be dressing up in wacky costumes and/or clothing bearing the insignia of your blog of choice. We’ll be wearing a design of our own making, which is almost done and will be available on Cafe Press, should anyone else want to don our colors.

Of course, to do that, you’ll want to register for the Blog Jog. To do that, go to http://reds.com/5k to register for the Redlegs Run, then email blogjog@reds.com to say you’ll be at the Blog Jog events before and/or after the run. You have to pay to be in the run, but you don’t have to pay any extra to hang with the blogging community, even in real life.