Heisey coming through in a pinch

CINCINNATI -- Reds fourth outfielder Chris Heisey has been big as a pinch-hitter during his big league career, and his numbers this season reflect his prowess in that role. Heisey came into Wednesday leading the Major Leagues with four hits and six RBIs as a pinch-hitter.

During Tuesday's 3-2 Reds win over the Cubs, Heisey had the game-winning hit with a RBI single in the sixth inning off of Jeff Samardzija while pinch-hitting for pitcher Alfredo Simon.

"I do have [104] pinch-hit at-bats, I saw. I was surprised," Heisey said. "That's a lot of pinch-hit at-bats. I did have success right away. That could be why I have confidence doing it. My first week in the big leagues, I had a game-tying home run off of Billy Wagner [on May 19, 2010]. I was like 'Maybe I can do this.' I'm prepared. I go in there. I know what the pitcher has got. I go in there and compete and try to put a good swing on it."

The approach at the plate isn't varied for Heisey between starting or coming off of the bench.

"Zero. I'm aggressive starting or pinch-hitting," Heisey said. "That's how I've always been as a pinch-hitter. I've never been a guy that works walks, sometimes to a fault. I don't want to ever take my aggressiveness away because I like that fastball.

"Early in the counts, sometimes it's the best pitch you're going to get. I'm not content with taking the first pitch down the middle, because it could be the only one you get. You don't want to take three strikes pinch-hitting, that's for sure."