Bob Boone knows a no-win situation when he sees one.

        He sees one June 18-20 when Seattle visits Cinergy Field: Dad in the dugout, coaching one son (Aaron) against another (Bret.)

        “It'll be probably more trouble than it's worth,” the Reds manager said. “I'm not looking forward to that one.”

        That series is surely the most intriguing of the four the Reds will have in interleague play, which begins tonight with a visit to Anaheim.

        When the Mariners visit, the Reds will face former teammates Bret Boone, Mike Cameron and Dan Wilson, plus former manager Lou Piniella. Reds star Ken Griffey Jr. will face his former team. Plus, international sensation Ichiro Suzuki will be blazing on the basepaths.

        All four opponents offer interesting story lines. It's not the easiest slate, either. The two teams coming to Cincinnati — Seattle and Oakland — had the Nos. 1 and 2 regular-season records, respectively, in baseball last season. Anaheim entered play Thursday night with a 34-22 mark.

        What to watch:

        • Bob Boone returning to Anaheim, where he played from 1982-88. His home in Villa Park, Calif., is 6 miles from Edison Field.

        • In Texas, Griffey will be reunited with former Seattle teammate Alex Rodriguez, though they saw each other as recently as spring training. “I took him out to dinner; he took me out to dinner. He calls to harass me,” Griffey said, smiling.

        • The Boone brothers have faced off before, when Bret was with Atlanta and San Diego, but not with Dad involved. “It's always pretty cool to go against your big brother,” Aaron Boone said.

        Griffey said he'll probably see few Mariners who were with him in 1999, his last season there: “Dan Wilson and some pitchers. Edgar (Martinez, who's injured) might not make the trip.” It could be more interesting to see the reception Griffey gets next year, assuming Cincinnati plays in Seattle.

        • Oakland has been here twice before, for the 1972 and 1990 World Series. The A's won the former series; the Reds won the latter.

        “I'm sure a lot will be made of that, and that's cool,” said Reds shortstop Barry Larkin, who played on the 1990 championship team.

        The Reds are 34-39 overall in interleague games; they went 4-11 last year. Griffey is tied with Toronto's Carlos Delgado for the most home runs in interleague play (28). Griffey's 69 RBI rank third.

Reds 3, Cards 2 Reds box, runs Schedule crunch squeezes Reds-Indians AL West foes ring a bell Boone returns home to start interleague play Haynes gives Reds their money's worth Reds at Angels series preview Rangers 9, Angels 8 Twins 8, Indians 3 Louisville 4, Pawtucket 0 Notes from Thursday's games Twins will play ball in 2003

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