Griffey says Reds' fans understood his complaint

CINCINNATI -- Ken Griffey Jr. had another ache Wednesday -- a sore calf that turned purple after he got plunked in batting practice.

He also had peace of mind about how his angry comments this week have been received by hometown fans.

The Cincinnati Reds outfielder criticized fans and the media in a diatribe Monday about how he's been treated since his homecoming in 2000. He cited a television station's poll and negative comments his family has heard at games.

There were several pro-Griffey banners at Cinergy Field the next night, and radio talk-show callers took up his cause during two days of rehashing his comments.

"I think a lot of people understand where I was coming from," Griffey said after taking batting practice. "It wasn't like I was ripping every fan."

Griffey directed most of his criticism at a television station's unscientific poll asking which player should be benched when he's healthy enough to play again. Griffey was one of the four choices and was picked by 74 percent of those voting.

He hasn't played since he tore the patella tendon in his right knee on April 7. The Reds are hoping he'll be back sometime in the next few weeks.

Giants 8, Mets 2

NEW YORK -- Kirk Rueter won his 100th career game, beating the New York Mets for the first time in 13 tries, and the San Francisco Giants beat up on former teammate Shawn Estes.

Dodgers 3, Braves 1

ATLANTA -- Another ex-Brave tormented his former team as Odalis Perez pitched eight strong innings to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers over Atlanta.

Phillies 5, Astros 3

PHILADELPHIA -- Pinch-hitter Ricky Ledee hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth to give the Philadelphia Phillies a victory over the Houston Astros.

Reds 14, Brewers 5

CINCINNATI -- Austin Kearns hit a three-run homer and Adam Dunn doubled with the bases loaded, sending the Cincinnati Reds past the Milwaukee Brewers.

Rockies 5, Expos 0

MONTREAL -- Todd Helton, Larry Walker and Todd Zeile homered, leading Shawn Chacon and the Colorado Rockies over Montreal, extending the Expos' losing streak to six games.

Marlins 7, Padres 4

MIAMI -- Third baseman Cesar Crespo's throwing error keyed Florida's four-run rally in the eighth inning and the Marlins won.

Elsewhere

METS: Mets reliever John Franco will miss at least the rest of the season with an injury to his left elbow.

Franco, who has not pitched since undergoing surgery on the elbow in December, had an MRI exam that revealed the injury to the medial collateral ligament and flexor tendon in his pitching elbow.-- From wire reports