Ken Griffey Jr. wears a big grin as he loosens up before pinch hitting. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Despite Ken Griffey's Jr. pinch-hitting appearance Monday, he probably won't start during this homestand, where the cool temperatures and moist ground could prove harmful to his sore hamstring.

        After three games here with the Pirates, Cincinnati opens a three-city, nine-game road trip Friday in Milwaukee, which has a new park with a retractable roof.

        “I'll probably be really conservative with him,” manager Bob Boone said.

        Though Boone didn't use the word “platoon” when asked how he would use his center fielders with Griffey out, he indicated he would alternate Michael Tucker and Ruben Rivera according to opposing pitchers.

        Boone said he likely would start Tucker again tonight. Rivera, said Boone, probably would play against Pirates left-handers Terry Mulholland and Jimmy Anderson on Wednesday and Thursday.

        Boone upheld his pregame vow to use Ken Griffey Jr. as a pinch hitter in “the first situation I get where they can't pitch around him. I've got a pretty good weapon there.”

        With Barry Larkin on first base and two outs in the seventh inning, Griffey left the bench to bat for Tucker against Atlanta left-hander Mike Remlinger. Tucker, a left-handed batter, entered the game with a .239 career average against lefties, compared to .266 against righties.

        Griffey worked the count to 3-2 before taking a third strike on the outside corner.

        When Griffey pinch hits, it's a given Boone would send in a runner for Griffey if he were to reach base.

        “He might hit a double off the wall and he'll still be standing on first,” Boone said, adding jokingly, “I've got a sniper trained on him. I told him, if you run and hurt it, he's going to shoot you dead.”

        Boone explained that Griffey and Donnie Sadler, who can play the outfield and every infield spot except first base, essentially add up to one player: “It allows me to hit for just about anybody I want. Then Sadler will take that spot.”

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