By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

CLEVELAND - Ken Griffey Jr. came close - just a few feet - to hitting his 500th career home run Sunday and ending what he said has become a combination of a team burden and an exciting chase.

So he is left one homer shy of the milestone as the Reds visit Philadelphia today, and the pressure on Griffey continues to grow.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos: Junior hits No. 499

The Reds lost 10-8 to the Indians on Sunday, their sixth consecutive setback, which Griffey attributed in no small part to the mounting distraction of his quest that earned No. 499 Sunday.

"For the team, I just wish it'd be over with," Griffey said. "It takes away some of the team goals because everybody (in the media) wants to talk about one person."

Griffey homered against Indians pitcher Cliff Lee at Jacobs Field after being stuck on 498 for five games. He appeared to have hit No. 500 on his next at-bat off Kazuhito Tadano. But the ball didn't carry enough, and Indians right fielder Jody Gerut made a leaping catch against the wall.

More than a dozen reporters and cameramen crowded around Griffey's locker after the game to inquire about the pursuit of 500.

"It takes a toll on the team every day," Griffey said of the constant media presence. "I think we'll be fine after it's over."

Today, Griffey and the Reds face Phillies left-hander Eric Milton in a one-game series to make up a

rainout from April 14. Griffey is 4-for-6 all-time against Milton with one home run in 1998 when Griffey was with Seattle and Milton pitched for Minnesota.

Perhaps more important than Griffey's chase for 500, however, is that the Reds (34-28) need a win to stop their slide out of the top of the National League Central standings.

Whether Griffey hits No. 500 is irrelevant to how the team should perform, said closer Danny Graves.

"I think if guys are letting that affect the way we play, they have other issues they need to deal with," Graves said. "Any time you have a superstar on your team, you're going to have to deal with media attention.

"These guys don't know what media attention is unless they've ever played in New York or a big-market city. ... I think it's a copout if somebody's saying that."

First baseman Sean Casey said players are looking forward to Griffey hitting his next home run, but not necessarily because of any pressure it has added to the team.

"I don't think that has a lot to do with our struggles," Casey said. "It's more exciting for us to want to see him do it."

After today's 7:05 p.m. game, the Reds are back in Cincinnati for a three-game series against Texas. Left-hander Kenny Rogers is scheduled to start for the Rangers on Tuesday. Griffey has one career homer off him in 1994.

On his 499th blast, Griffey led off the third inning and drove a 2-2 pitch from Lee 399 feet over the right-field fence. The next inning, when Griffey came to bat with runners on second and third, Lee threw a first-pitch fastball behind Griffey's head, causing the center fielder to lean forward.

Home plate umpire Matt Hollowell immediately ejected Lee. Tadano entered and got out Griffey on the deep fly to right that looked like it might have had a chance to get out.

"I just hit it off the end," said Griffey who declined to comment on whether he thought Lee deliberately threw at his head. "I try to hit the ball solid, and when it's going to happen, it's going to happen."

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E-mail ddow@enquirer.com