Ken Griffey Jr. is about “five to seven days” away from being able to play in the starting lineup, according to Dr. Tim Kremchek, the Reds' team physician.

        “Junior has really improved,” Kremchek said. “Now that the hype of Opening Day is over, we're going to make very, very sure he can play every day. But like anything with a hamstring, you're not really sure.”

        Griffey has missed the first four games.

        RUN MAKER: The Reds scored in only one inning Thursday, but it was enough as Dmitri Young's three-run double off Pirates starter Jimmy Anderson capped a four-run third inning in a 4-1 victory.

        Young, who's batting a robust .412 with a team-high six RBI, said he hasn't put extra pressure on himself to generate runs while Ken Griffey Jr. has been sidelined with his injured left hamstring.

        “That's where experience comes in,” Young said. “When you're inexperienced, you may be a little antsy with a guy in scoring position. But having an approach and a game plan, you can see everything develop in front of you.”

        Of his early success, Young said: “I'm just seeing the ball well and getting good wood on it.”

        Young was doubtlessly more glib for ESPN. Kenny Mayne, one of the cable network's reporters, was at Cinergy Field to craft a fanciful feature on Young's bid to bat .400 for the season.

        Young and leadoff batter Barry Larkin have formed a nice combination. They're the only Reds to have hit safely in every game.

        ETC.: John Riedling earned Thursday's save, but that wasn't because he has replaced Graves as the closer. Manager Bob Boone explained that he wanted to rest Graves, who pitched Tuesday and Wednesday.

        • Graves telephoned Jason Kendall after Wednesday night's game to apologize to the Pittsburgh catcher for hitting him above the earflap of his batting helmet. Kendall accepted the apology, knowing Graves wasn't trying to hit him with two outs and nobody on base. In fact, said Graves, “We mostly talked about other things.”

        • The Reds played their first errorless game of the season Thursday.

        CHANGE OF HART: Reds GM Jim Bowden has dealt with his Cleveland counterpart, John Hart, as much as any GM. But Bowden had no inkling Hart was stepping down.

        “I'm shocked and stunned,” Bowden said. “He was one of the best general managers in baseball over the last 10 years, and he was a good friend and mentor.”

        Bowden said Hart's mark is the way he kept the Indians winning over such a long period.

        “He's done a great job of putting a contending team on the field year after year,” Bowden said. “He was very creative in signing young players to long-term deals.”

Reds 4, Pirates 1 Williamson: 'Hard to believe my season's over' Griffey out 5-7 more days Bowden has eye for Ramon Reds help Brewers open Miller Park Reds-Brewers Scouting Report Reds box, runs

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