It didn't take the Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. long to find his way back on a 2-for-3, one-RBI night against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.

Ken Griffey Jr. breaks for second as Pirates 1B Kevin Young covers first in the first inning. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        In his first game since June 23, Junior had two hits, a walk, and a 390-foot sacrifice fly to the warning track in left-center field.

        “That was pretty impressive,” said Reds slugger Adam Dunn about Junior's performance after a month-long absence to rehabilitate a strained right hamstring. “He looked like he was right on everything.”

        Most hitters would need some live game pitching to regain their timing, said Dunn, adding: “But I guess it takes him about two or three swings in the on-deck circle.”

        Junior, who was batting fourth in the order for the first time since July 5 of last year, received a big ovation in the first inning when he stepped to the plate.

        Before his first at-bat, he was welcomed back when the first batted ball of the game — by Jason Kendall — floated out to Griffey in center field, as he backpedaled softly to make the catch.

        “That (the first batted ball) always happens when somebody new comes into the game — it's always the first ball hit to him,” Junior said. “After that, it's OK.”

Griffey walks off the field as the Pirates celebrate. (Greg Ruffing photo) | ZOOM |

        The results of his five plate appearances: walk, lined a single to left-center, grounded out to second base, sacrifice fly and singled sharply to right field.

        "It doesn't take long (to get one's timing back),” Junior said, “when you're taking 80-to-150 swings three or four times a week, especially when you're the only one doing it. You get into a little rhythm.”

        He needs to be careful to avoid aggravating what is a less-than-perfect right hamstring. But the Reds' attitude is he's in as good a shape as he can get without missing the rest of the season.

        “It's time to play,” said Reds manager Bob Boone before the game, noting Griffey has been chomping at the bit to return.

        Junior's return meant Raul Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A Louisville.

        The bases are where Griffey's injuries have occurred this season, and where the future is most foreboding. He tore a tendon in his right knee April 7 during a rundown between third base and home, and strained his right hamstring June 23 while rounding first base hard.

        “I just have to start off slow,” Junior said. “I'm not going to get to full speed until four or five steps. The big thing is to get first to third (on the bases), and if the ball gets away from the outfielder, you've got a chance to score.”

        After his single in the third inning, Junior was forced at second base on a ball hit into the hole to Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson. A healthy Griffey probably doesn't beat that out, but he makes it closer.

        “In certain situations right now, it's going to be a little different until I'm comfortable being out there,” he said. “Once I get four or five games under my belt, we'll see. Right now, it's making sure (of the hamstring).”

        Griffey is cautioned to protect his legs the best he can, Boone said.

        Circumstances requiring quick-start reaction on the bases are unpredictable, so luck will have something to do with how long Junior can avoid re-injuring his hamstring.

        He might be just a little bit healthier this time than he was the last time he returned from the disabled list, but not by much.

        Because of injuries, Junior has missed 148 starts the past two seasons. He is so fast and graceful in the outfield, and has such great instincts there, the Reds don't expect the hamstring to affect his fielding.

        “I expect to see the same guy in center field,” Boone said.

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