Ken Griffey Jr. smiles during a news conference Friday before the game. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        ATLANTA — The chemistry question was for Ken Griffey Jr., but Bob Boone heard and answered it.

        “He's not going to mess it up,” Boone said. “He's not that good. It's how the players have been raised, whatever goes into their makeup. He's not going to be disruptive. He's been part of the good chemistry, too, from Day 1 of spring training.”

        Griffey returned Friday night to the lineup after six weeks and four days on the disabled list. Griffey was in his customary spots — center field and third in the batting order. The chemistry issue came up because the Reds went 25-16 without Griffey.

        “That's really a non-issue,” Boone said. “When you play better, your chemistry will get better.”

        Boone thinks the Reds will play better with Griffey.

        “I think he'll be tremendous,” Boone said. “My expectations for him are off the charts. I realize this is like spring training for him. Mortals go through that. But he's a special player.”

        Austin Kearns was removed from the lineup Friday night so Griffey could play. Kearns was OK with the decision.

        “I knew somebody was coming out,” Kearns said. “When my name is in the lineup, I'll do the best I can.”

        Boone didn't say there'd be any set rotation. The plan, however, is for Griffey to play only every other day for the next week or so.

        Boone didn't have an elaborate explanation for why Kearns sat the first night.

        “I don't know — the youngest, least tenured?” Boone said.

        Kearns has been in a slump. He had two hits in his last 21 at-bats entering Friday. He was 0-for-9 since hitting a grand slam Tuesday.

        The lineup will remain in flux. The plan is to give Griffey today off, then play him Sunday.

        “That's indefinite,” Boone said. “We'll see how he looks, feels.”

        Before the game, Griffey said it felt great to be back.

        “It's been tough,” he said. “Baseball is what I do. It's the only thing I know ... I'm happy. I worked hard to get clearance to play.”

Braves 11, Reds 2 Reds box, runs Boone: Griffey, Reds chemistry will mix More playing time to Larkin's liking Louisville 9, Ottawa 7 M's Martinez transferred to 60-day DL NL roundup AL roundup Notes from Friday's games

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San Diego ponders whether it can afford to keep Chargers
Dayton QB suspended one game for DUI
It's a grind, and the athletes love it
Shaker Run will host USGA Publinx
Bartholomew, Diaz share Corning lead
Julian just happy to still be playing the game
PGA Memorial results
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Maradona denied Japanese visa
Mathis on verge of becoming world star
Defending champion on quest to climb
Indy 500 has fastest field ever
No double-duty for Stewart
Hasek confident, Roy desperate on eve of Game 4
Hockey a hot ticket in Carolina
Kings 103, Lakers 90
Lakers done in by early mistakes against Kings
Nets tend to bounce back after a bad game
Spurs' Robinson to retire after 2002-03 season
Withrow's Hunter out of NBA draft
Baldwin resigns as USOC president
Coming up this week
Milford rolls to first district title
Freshman Detzel leads Colerain girls
Hartman heats up for Firebirds
Lebanon rolls into regional
Lewis, offense lead Anderson
McNick district champs
Preps results
Preps schedule

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