Reds' faith helping Cozart move past slump

CINCINNATI -- Reds shortstop Zack Cozart knew he didn't have to look over his shoulder when he was struggling at the plate to start the season. But starting out 0-for-22 like he did, it was still difficult to live through. Manager Bryan Price told Cozart during the last road trip in New York he had the club's confidence.

"Even though I know as a player that it's my job, it's still nice to hear somebody -- your manager -- tell you, 'We're not worried about it.' That gave me some confidence," Cozart said on Monday.

Cozart came into Monday 3-for-6 over his last two games. He reached safely three times in five plate appearances in Sunday's 12-4 win over the Rays, which included a two-run ground-rule double to right field.

"The past couple of days, I've had better at-bats, obviously," Cozart said. "I knew I was going to come out of it. I go through something like this every year. It just so happened to be magnified going 0-for-[22] to start the year. I'm definitely feeling better."

"There's just no way to work your way out of a slump unless you go out there and play and face the pitching and make your adjustments in competition," Price said. "He's our shortstop. He was able to right his own ship. Hopefully this is a sign of a really good consistent at-bats moving forward."