MINNEAPOLIS — Two days as the Reds' designated hitter was enough for Ken Griffey Jr., who asked manager Bob Boone to return to center field Sunday. Naturally, Boone complied.

        “He talked me into it,” said Boone, who began the series intending to spare Griffey the physical wear and tear of playing defense on the Metrodome's artificial turf. “I can see his reasoning, the way he swung the last two days.”

        Griffey went 1-for-7 as a DH, hitting the ball out of the infield only twice. Sunday, he went 0-for-3. Still, Griffey insisted that playing in the field helped his overall approach.

        “I feel better when I'm in the flow of the game,” said Griffey, who made scattered appearances as a DH during his American League career with Seattle. “I feel more comfortable when I'm running around, doing something. When I'm "DHing,' I forget I'm in the lineup.”

        Griffey's career statistics support this theory. His .250 batting average as a DH is nearly 45 points below his overall figure.

        After joking Friday that being the oldest player on either team made him a logical designated-hitting choice, Griffey changed his tune.

        “I'm not old enough to DH. That's Barry's job when he gets back,” Griffey said, teasing injured shortstop Barry Larkin.

        Griffey's desire to play center proved rather convenient, since an oral infection has weakened outfielder Michael Tucker.

        Tucker said he began experiencing swelling in his mouth last Monday, which has limited him to eating soup and soft foods. So far, antibiotics and other medications haven't helped.

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