NEW YORK — Deciding to play left field Tuesday night against the New York Mets wasn't easy for Alex Ochoa.

        Many players and coaches of Cuban descent, including Mets shortstop Rey Ordonez and third-base coach Cookie Rojas, observed a work stoppage to protest the U.S. government's handling of the Elian Gonzalez case.

        Ochoa first consulted his parents, who left Cuba in 1971. He also discussed the matter with manager Jack McKeon, who wanted to stack the lineup with right-handers against New York lefty Al Leiter. Though Ochoa said he sympathized with the protesters, he opted to stay in Cincinnati's starting lineup.

        “I'm totally behind the Cuban-Americans,” said Ochoa, who was raised in Miami. “I totally understand the situation and support their course. I think it would have been a little bit easier if I played every day. But that's not the case. My job is with the Cincinnati Reds, and they want me to play.”

        Ochoa went 0-for-4 but made a magnificent second-inning catch, leaping to the top of the wall to rob Melvin Mora of an extra-base hit with Mets on first and second base and one out.

        “It's unfortunate that this is a situation where people might second-guess me for playing,” Ochoa said.

        Ochoa's choice to play enabled McKeon to rest Sean Casey for the first time since the first baseman rejoined the starting lineup last Wednesday. Since Casey was 2-for-11 lifetime against Leiter, it was an opportune time to make the move.

        “The way (Casey's) hand is recovering, I don't want to get him messed up,” McKeon said. “He's been going at it pretty good since he came back.”

        BOWDEN'S FRUSTRATION: General manager Jim Bowden branded the Reds' early performance as “horrible” but pointed out they stood in second place in the National League Central Division before Tuesday's series opener against the Mets, only 3¹/₂ games out of first.

        “I'm not making any excuses, because the whole organization stinks right now,” Bowden said.

        “Obviously, it's not a good start, but it could have been worse. We need the players to get together and play up to their potential. There's plenty of baseball left to be played, and we have to get our ship righted.”

        Bowden said he planned to watch the Reds' Triple-A Louisville affiliate play Indianapolis tonight before attending the Dayton Dragons' inaugural home game Thursday. Bowden indicated these visits have no special significance regarding the Reds roster.

       REWIND THE TAPE: Shea Stadium fans booed Ken Griffey Jr. with each of his plate appearances, recalling he spurned December's proposed trade that would have sent him from Seattle to the New York Mets.

        Griffey also was obliged to explain himself again for about a dozen of the city's reporters.

        Asked if he ever contemplated how life might have been as a Met, Griffey said: “I really didn't have that option. I had 15 minutes to decide.” Griffey answered another inevitable New York question with sincere respect: How does he feel about being lumped with classic center fielders such as Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle.

        “Just to be mentioned with those guys is an honor in itself,” Griffey said.

        SUMMER OF '69: Richard Nixon was in the first year of his presidency. Neil Armstrong had walked on the moon. And the Amazin' Mets were roaring toward a world title.

        That's the era Mets management wanted to recall Tuesday night with its “Turn Back the Clock” promotion, which included both teams wearing replicas of their 1969 uniforms. Cincinnati was decked in fake gray flannel and all-red caps, while the Mets wore pinstripe outfits.

        UP NEXT: Denny Neagle will face Mets knuckleballer Dennis Springer tonight.

        Neagle (1-0), a left-hander, has been particularly effective at Shea Stadium, where he is 5-2 with a 2.39 ERA. Springer (0-0, 5.06 ERA) is 0-2 with a 4.67 ERA in three lifetime appearances against Cincinnati.

Mets 6, Reds 5 Box, runs Ochoa chooses to play, not protest

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