By Kevin Kelly and John Erardi
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Saturday's game

The injury to center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. prompted at least one phone call between Reds general manager Jim Bowden and veteran outfielder Greg Vaughn's agent Saturday evening.

On Friday, Bowden said the club had no interest in Vaughn.

But Vaughn's agent, Eric Goldschmidt, said interest was expressed Saturday about possibly bringing the one-time Red back to Cincinnati.

"There's definite interest from Greg's side," Goldschmidt said. "He really enjoyed playing there in Cincinnati."

The 37-year-old can be had for $300,000 because the Devil Rays, who released him during spring training, are responsible for the remainder of his $9.25 million deal.

Vaughn hit 45 homers and drove in 118 runs for the Reds in 1999.

His production dropped as injuries piled up in recent seasons.

Vaughn batted .226 with 60 homers and 185 RBI in his three seasons with Tampa Bay. He was limited to 69 games last season because of a shoulder injury and was batting .217 in spring training when the Rays released him March 22.

WILSON READY: Delayed by various muscle strains during spring training, Paul Wilson makes his first regular-season start in a Reds uniform today.

"The worst part has been the waiting," Wilson said.

Wilson did not appear in a regular spring training game this year.

The Reds, and especially the oft-used bullpen, could stand to have him pitch deep into the game today. Only Ryan Dempster, who started against the Pirates on Wednesday, has gone past the fifth inning.

GET TO KNOW HIM: Felipe Lopez made his second start of the season Saturday, but his first at third base in place of Brandon Larson.

Expect Lopez to see action at shortstop, third and second base, particularly when day games follow night games.

"He's going to get significant time," manager Bob Boone said.

Boone said the lineup change had nothing to do with Larson's left ankle. Larson rolled the ankle while fielding ground balls before Friday's game but Saturday said he was feeling fine.

DUNN GOES DEEP: Adam Dunn's two home runs into the Sun Deck in right field Saturday marked the third time in his young career he has had a two-homer game.

Dunn has hit three home runs the last two games.

"I'm just going to keep swinging it," Dunn said. "I think it's just a matter of seeing game-situation pitching again and relaxing."

TAKING HIS BALL: The 22-year-old college student who caught Sammy Sosa's 500th career home run Friday still has possession of the ball. Reds spokesman Rob Butcher said he was awaiting a call from the man Saturday.

FIRST VICTIM: Jason LaRue threw out his first would-be base stealer of the season, Alex Gonzalez, Saturday. Moises Alou, however, stole second in the eighth inning.

ODDS AND ENDS: Pitcher Pete Harnisch starts for Triple-A Louisville against Toledo today. ... Temperature at game time Saturday was 44 degrees, 30 degrees colder than Friday's start.

Rocky Horror pitching show

REDS STARTERS (through Saturday)

DATE	PITCHER	IP	H	ER	K	BB
March 31	Jimmy Haynes	4.0	5	6	3	3
April 2	Ryan Dempster	6.2	7	3	2	4
April 3	Jimmy Anderson	4.2	8	7	1	1
April 4	Danny Graves	5.0	8	6	3	2
April 5	Jimmy Haynes	4.0	7	5	2	5
TOTALS		24.1	35	27	11	15

Starters' ERA: 9.99