By John Fay and Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

TAMPA, Fla. - Aaron Boone, the Reds' new second baseman, has taken countless grounders and turned dozens of double plays in workouts.

But in Thursday's 9-3 win over the New York Yankees, it was different.

The ball came off the bat of Derek Jeter. And after Brandon Larson fielded it, 10,169 people were watching as Boone went to take the throw and make the turn.

"It was surreal," Boone said. "I was just saying, 'Catch it.' "

He caught it, tagged the bag and made a nice turn, although Jeter beat it out.

"How'd it look?" Boone asked.

Good, he was told. It should - he has worked at it hard enough the last few weeks.

"But that's just practice," he said. "I know I can do it. But in a game, things speed up. The ball is hit harder. You have to slow things down and let them happen."

Boone was 2-for-2 with a double and a triple.

"It is only February," Boone said. "The idea is to peak when we leave. But it's definitely nice to come out and swing the bat well."

WRONG PLACE: Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns carpooled to Tampa. Dunn was driving Griffey's SUV, and he pulled into the first spot available, even though a sign at the spot read: "George Steinbrenner."

"I don't care; it's not my car," Dunn said.

The vehicle wasn't towed, but it was moved when the Yankees owner showed up a little later.

GRIFFEY TO DUNN: Griffey was asked if he had any advice for Dunn, who hit .300 with 17 home runs and 54 RBI before the All-Star break last season and .190 with nine home runs and 17 RBI afterward.

"Today is 2003," Griffey said. "It's a totally new year. He has to relax, have fun."

Dunn looked relaxed in the third inning - he hit a grand slam.

STINNETT UPDATE: Catcher Kelly Stinnett did not make the trip to Tampa because of a pulled left hamstring, but the injury isn't considered serious.

"He was a little sore," trainer Mark Mann said. "He had treatment (Thursday) morning."

Mann said Stinnett probably won't make the trip to Fort Myers today, when the Reds play the Boston Red Sox.

"This early in spring training, you don't want to take any chances," Mann said.

MORE INJURIES: Projected fourth starter Paul Wilson tweaked a muscle near his rib cage in Wednesday's intrasquad scrimmage.

Extra outfielder Jose Guillen has ingrown toenails on both feet.

"They're killing me," he said.

Guillen was the designated hitter against the Yankees and went 1-for-3. He will see a podiatrist today and isn't expected to miss more than a few days.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui wasn't the only left-handed hitter who drew attention Thursday. Reds outfielder Reggie Taylor, who replaced Griffey in center field, hit a pair of solo home runs.

"It means everything," said Taylor, who hadn't hit two homers in any of his 149 major-league games. "Coming into spring training as a fourth outfielder again, I need to try and open up some eyes and hopefully get an opportunity.

"It is a good feeling to start the spring like that. I've just got to continue doing what I'm doing."

DUBIOUS DEBUT: Cuban defector Jose Contreras stumbled in his Yankees debut.

The right-hander allowed five runs, four alone on Dunn's opposite-field grand slam, in the third inning. He walked two and struck out three in two innings.

"I think he just needs to get a little more aggressive," said Guillen, who struck out in his only at-bat against Contreras. "He needs to get more aggressive. He's got pretty good stuff, no doubt about it."

MEET AGAIN: The Reds and Yankees will play once more this spring (March 12 in Sarasota) before meeting for the first time June 3-5 at Great American Ball Park.