Gyorko looks for quality at-bats to break slump

CINCINNATI -- Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko has had a rough go of it since coming off the disabled list on July 12, batting just .108 (7-for-65) entering Friday's game against the Reds. In Wednesday's loss to the Orioles, though, Gyorko hit a three-run homer that he hopes can propel him forward.

"My at-bats have been getting better," Gyorko said. "I'm having productive at-bats and I'm feeling good, so hopefully it's the start of something and I can get a little hot streak going."

Before hitting the disabled list with a groin injury in June, Gyorko was batting .284 with eight homers and 25 RBIs in 60 games. However, after missing 30 games, the 24-year-old rookie had trouble getting back into the swing of things.

"You've been out of the game and you go to the Minors and rehab, but it's just not quite the same," Gyorko said. "The speed of the game is not quite the same down there as it is up here. There's that transition period where you just hope you can be on time and get everything going as fast as you can."

Pitch selection has been the key to delivering more quality at-bats for Gyorko, who said he's been more selective lately than when he first came off the DL.

"You just want to get a hit so bad that you kind of just go up there swinging, and that's not the answer," Gyorko said. "You have to wait for your pitch and put a swing on it."