PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Ken Griffey Jr., one homer shy of 600, wasn't in the starting lineup for the Cincinnati Reds for the third consecutive game Wednesday.

The 38-year-old outfielder played in 54 of Cincinnati's first 57 games, but he hasn't started against the Philadelphia Phillies because of general soreness and a sore left knee.

Griffey walked on four pitches as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning Tuesday night and pitcher Bronson Arroyo ran for him. Corey Patterson started in center field Wednesday after being recalled from Triple-A because Ryan Freel was placed on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring. Rookie sensation Jay Bruce was in right field again.

The only other players to hit 600 homers are Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa.

Griffey hit No. 599 against Atlanta on Saturday, but missed a chance to reach the milestone in front of his hometown fans.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.