PITTSBURGH - Ken Griffey Jr. probably will see action for the final series at Cinergy Field this weekend. Griffey hasn't started a lobbying effort, but it's clear he'd like to play.

        “It's a big weekend,” Griffey said. “You have the (Ohio State-UC) football, the closing of the stadium, OktoberFest.”

        So, he'd like to play?

        “Yeah,” he said. “Dad (Ken Sr.) will be there. Mom (Birdie) will be there.”

        Griffey played in the outfield for the first time in 15 games Monday. He had been limited to six pinch-hit appearances by his hip flexor/quadriceps injuries.

        He was healthy enough to start Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but Reds manager Bob Boone is using caution.

        “I don't want him to hurt it again,” Boone said. “I'd like for him to go into the offseason healthy so he doesn't have to rehab and just work on strength and conditioning.”

        That probably will mean easing Griffey into the final two home games.

        “I might pinch-hit him earlier and keep him in as part of a double switch,” Boone said.

        Griffey has been limited to 135 starts over the last two years by hamstring, knee, hip flexor and quadriceps injuries.

Pirates 11, Reds 3 Reds Box, Runs Cinergy softball tickets available Griffey wants to play on historic weekend Sparky to throw out first pitch Sunday Reds Notebook: Williamson looks like closer Reese (5 RBI) enjoys beating Reds Giants regain wild-card lead Brewers 5, Astros 4 Cardinals 11, Rockies 4 Padres 3, Diamondbacks 2 Angels go back on top in AL West Mariners 3, Rangers 2

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