Gomes quickly wins over Reds’ fans

Petaluma’s Jonny Gomes has quickly won over Cincinnati Reds fans the same way he won over Tampa Bay Rays fans — with his clutch hitting and hustle.

Wrote one fan to the Reds’ Web site. “Gomes is a good player. He makes up for any natural lack of natural ability with his desire and hustle. This guy gives 110 percent on every play, and you can’t teach that. I would love to see him in the line up daily, as it will give the other guys some meaning to the word hustle.”

One fan wrote simply, “I love this guy.”

Commented another fan. “He has heart. I remember last year in the World Series against the Phillies, Gomes was not on the playoff roster, but he was in the dugout with his Mohawk kicking for every game. He may not be the best player on the Reds’ roster, but what he lacks in consistency, he makes up in heart. We have a young group of guys here, and I believe that having Gomes in the clubhouse can be a positive thing.”

Gomes, a Casa Grande High School graduate, was third in the Rookie of the Year voting with Tampa Bay when he batted .282 with 21 home runs and 54 RBIs in just 101 games in 2005.

After parts of six seasons with the Rays, he was released and last summer signed a Minor League contract with the Reds. He began the season with Triple-A Louisville before being called up to the Major Leagues in late May.

He has thrived under Reds’ manager Dusty Baker, the former San Francisco Giants manager. Gomes, a right-handed batter, has played part-time in the outfield and pinch hit for the Reds.

Through last weekend, he had been in 33 games, batting .329. Of his 26 hits, seven were doubles and five were home runs. He had an on-base percentage of .419.