SARASOTA, Fla. — First baseman Sean Casey was the lone starter missing from Wednesday's game with Boston. He is bothered by a strained back suffered during Tuesday's game against Minnesota.

        Manager Bob Boone told Casey not to make the trip and said it was only a precautionary measure.

        “He's still a little sore,” trainer Greg Lynn said. “He's been playing quite a bit. It's nothing serious. He'll be fine.”

        Casey was 3-for-4 against Boston Monday in Sarasota and 0-for-2 against the Twins. His replacement against Boston, Robin Jennings, went 0-for-3 and has two hits in his last 22 at-bats.

        GRIFFEY 1, MARTINEZ 1: Center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. struck out in the first inning against Red Sox right-hander Pedro Martinez. But in the third, Griffey doubled to the left-field wall against the Red Sox ace.

        “I tried to get a fastball away,” Martinez said. “And I missed.”

        KEEP IT GOING: Outfielder Juan Encarnacion continued the club's longest hitting streak of spring training. He went 2-for-3 against Boston, giving him at least one hit in his last 10 games, and raised his average to .270.

        Second baseman Todd Walker has a seven-game hitting streak. Catcher Jason LaRue, who two games ago ended a hitless streak at 0-for-28, went 1-for-3 with a double.

        STRIKING OUT: The Reds were unable to take advantage of loading the bases in the second inning.

        Adam Dunn reached on a walk, and Encarnacion and Aaron Boone singled. But Martinez struck out Jennings, LaRue and Wilton Guerrero.

        UP NEXT: Cincinnati will play the New York Yankees at 7:15p.m. today at Tampa, Fla. The Reds are 0-2 against the Yankees this spring.

        GOING, GOING, GONE: Wednesday's game was the fifth sellout involving the Reds.

        REITSMA UPDATE: Right-hander Chris Reitsma was going to be evaluated by medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek Wednesday. Reitsma was limited to two innings in his start Tuesday and complained afterward that he has had tightness in his elbow all spring.

        E-mail gestwick@enquirer.com; E-mail jfay@enquirer.com

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