SAN DIEGO — Much was made about what the Reds didn't get at the trading deadline. They didn't get Scott Rolen. They didn't get Bartolo Colon.

        But what they did get was a power-hitting, Gold Glove center fielder who is capable of carrying a team.

        Ken Griffey Jr. returned from the disabled list July 22 — nine days before the deadline — so adding him was the rough equivalent of adding a player in trade.

        “Through all the stuff that happened this year, all I wanted was to have him back,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “Then to have the real Junior — the Junior we saw last August — is huge.”

        Entering Friday's game in San Diego, Griffey was hitting .385 with two home runs and eight RBI in his eight games since returning from the DL. He won Thursday's game against Los Angeles with a two-run home run in the bottom of the 13th inning.

        He also has played his usual stellar center field and has run the bases aggressively.

        Griffey affects the lineup around him. Adam Dunn, who has been hitting in front of Griffey, had four home runs and six RBI in his last 10 games going into Friday. Austin Kearns, who hits behind Griffey, entered Friday on a nine-game hitting streak in which he's batting .417 with seven RBI.

        “We see it in the way they pitch to Dunn and Griffey,” Boone said.

        “They've been in the middle of a lot of rallies. I say, "Go ahead and walk them.' Kearns has been on fire.”

        Since Griffey has returned, the Reds have averaged six runs a game. Before his return, they were averaging 4.3 runs a game.

        Griffey was able to stay sharp because he could take batting practice while rehabilitating his injured hamstring.

        “I'd go in there and take 100, 200 pitches,” Griffey said.

        “Junior's amazing,” Boone said. “He can take batting practice for 50 minutes straight. He's able to get in a great rhythm that way. Most guys don't have the stamina to do that.”

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