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Griffey still searching for history vs. Cubs

Apr 16, 2008 - 1:06 PM Cincinnati (6-8) at Chicago Cubs (8-5) 8:05 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Ken Griffey Jr. homered Tuesday to push his career total to 595. He'll look to move a step closer to 600 when the Cincinnati Reds visit the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

Griffey's blast on Tuesday briefly put the Reds ahead, but the Cubs came back to earn a 9-5 victory behind homers from Derrek Lee, Mark DeRosa and Ryan Theriot.

Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker managed Chicago for four seasons, taking them to within five outs of the World Series in 2003. But disappointing finishes in 2004, 2005 and 2006 eventually ended that partnership.

The veteran manager watched Tuesday as his former closer, Ryan Dempster, started for Chicago and his one-time ace, Kerry Wood, served as the closer for manager Lou Piniella.

Griffey and Baker will face another tough test on Wednesday when Cubs' ace Carlos Zambrano (1-1, 3.20 ERA) gets the start. The burly righthander lost at Philadelphia last Friday, yielding five runs and nine hits in six frames.

He has been solid in his career against Cincinnati, posting a 10-9 record with a 3.39 ERA in 27 games - 23 starts.

The Reds will send righthander Josh Fogg (1-1, 7.00) to the mound. The veteran has had a tough time getting on track after signing with Cincinnati in the offseason, allowing nine runs in nine innings.