C. Trent Rosecrans

crosecrans@enquirer.com

PITTSBURGH -- Reds first baseman Joey Votto said he didn't approach Tony Gwynn until he felt like he had enough clout to talk hitting with the Hall of Famer, who died on Monday. Votto met Gwynn in 2011, after winning his MVP the year before, and would occasionally talk to Gwynn ever since.

"I spoke to him multiple times, e-mailed him and asked him some specifics. He was very gracious with his information," Votto said. "He was really very good at remembering how difficult it was, no matter how successful he was."

While there are stories of great hitters being frustrated by those who didn't share their talent or results, Votto said Gwynn wasn't like that.

"He was really wonderful to talk to, a really nice man," Votto said. "He made sense when you talked hitting with him, which is really pleasant. ... I've heard some pretty ridiculous statements from some really special players. He was not like that at all. What he said, I felt like I could take it into a game."

The two shared a desire to perfect their craft and a similar work ethic. Gwynn was an innovator in watching video tape and taking that information into a game. Votto does that now.

Still, Votto said he knew how special Gwynn was, beyond his 3,141 hits.

"He would have been successful regardless of whether he spent all that time reviewing the video and all that stuff and doing his homework," Votto said. "I feel like it was a really ... memorable conversation with an all-time great."

PHILLIPS ON A STREAK: Phillips entered Tuesday's game with a streak of 40 plate appearances without a strikeout. It was the longest active streak in the majors, and second-longest by a Reds player this season.

The longest belonged to Billy Hamilton, who went 44 plate appearances without a strikeout from April 23 to May 16. Hamilton's streak of 32 plate appearances without a strikeout was snapped on Sunday.

Phillips' last strikeout was June 6 against Philadelphia's Cole Hamels.

LINEUP STABILIZING: Reds manager Bryan Price said he's settled into his regular lineup – with Hamilton at the top, followed by Todd Frazier, Votto, Phillips and Jay Bruce at the top.

"It doesn't mean there won't be another change in the lineup," Price said. "I think there's something to be said about knowing what's expected of you and knowing where you're going to be."

Votto was batting second before he went on the disabled list, but Price said he likes Frazier there, in part because of his .348 on-base percentage entering Tuesday's game, tied with Devin Mesoraco for second-best on the team behind Votto (.412).

"He's performed there, his on-base percentage is up, last year he was a .310 guy and that's come up," Price said. "In some ways, one of the reasons I liked Joey there is it kind of necessitated hitting behind Billy that you have to have some patience, you have to give him the freedom to steal a base and what Todd's done so well is he's seen more pitches and not just because he's taken pitches to let Billy run, but he's waiting to get a better pitch to hit.

"I think we're seeing a more disciplined hitter, a guy who is doing more damage. I don't know if it's hitting second or it's just that his hitting plan has matured somewhat."

MARMOL ON BREAK: Ex-Cubs closer Carlos Marmol is on the Reds' restricted list at Louisville after taking what his agent told CBSSports.com was a "mental break."

Marmol, 31, was signed to a minor-league deal May 27 after he was released by the Marlins. He appeared in three games for the Bats, going 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA. He had six strikeouts and six walks in 3 2/3 innings.

Jocketty said there's no animosity toward Marmol and he understands Marmol's need to take a break. The Reds would be open to a return this season, if Marmol is interested in coming back.

NO SIGNING: Despite reports that the Reds were close to a deal with Cuban right-hander Raisel Iglesias, GM Walt Jocketty said other teams also are interested.

Iglesias has been granted an extension to sign during Major League Baseball's "closed period" before the current rules on signing Cuban players change on July 2.

Iglesias pitched for the Cuban national team in the last World Baseball Classic and pitched for Serie Nacional, the top league in Cuba. He has been used as a reliever for both the national team and his club team in Cuba. It is likely he will receive a Major League contract when he signs.

The Reds were one of several teams to attend a tryout held in Haiti last month.