Angels Overcome Homers by Griffeys

When he was still known as Ken Griffey and the “Sr.” wasn’t appended to his name, he dreamed of playing in an outfield with his son.

To imagine that he would hit the first in a historic sequence of back-to-back home runs by father and son was something else.

“I’d think of it, but you’re never sure it’s going to happen,” said 40-year-old Ken Sr., who joined the Mariners on Aug. 29 after being released by the Reds. “We had been talking about it last summer, but he was in the Northwest and I was in Cincinnati. I just didn’t think it was going to happen. . . . We weren’t trying for it. I was just trying to hit the ball.”

Ken Jr. followed his father’s example. After the elder Griffey lined an 0-and-2 pitch from Kirk McCaskill 402 feet to center field in the first inning Friday night, 20-year-old Ken Jr. followed with a 388-foot blast into seats in left-center to bring the 34,180 fans to their feet. “It was fun,” said Ken Jr., who was outdone by his father on distance but not in the brilliance of his post-home-run smile. “I just wish we’d have won the game.”

Dave Winfield, who used to watch Ken Jr. frolic around Yankee Stadium when he and Ken Sr. played in New York, prevented the Griffeys from fully enjoying the night.

Winfield hit two home runs and had five runs batted in, becoming only the 26th player in history to reach 1,500 RBIs, as he led the Angels to a 7-5 victory at Anaheim Stadium.

“He had to ruin it,” Ken Sr. said in mock sorrow. “He really hit them, though.”

The night was full of memories for Winfield, who took over the club lead with 65 runs batted in as the Angels gained their fifth consecutive victory. However, because the Oakland Athletics defeated Minnesota, 9-1, the Angels were mathematically eliminated from the American League West race.

That didn’t spoil the occasion for Winfield, who was 0 for 19 against the Mariners this season until his third-inning homer off Matt Young (8-15).

“Tonight was like keeping up with the Joneses, only it was keeping up with the Griffeys,” Winfield said. “It was great. It was a great game. . . . It was special, this game,”

Ken Jr. returned the compliment. “Winny hasn’t changed a bit,” he said. “I just got taller.”

The historic moment came after Harold Reynolds led off the game with a walk. Ken Sr. smashed McCaskill’s changeup slightly to the left of straightaway center.

Ken Jr. worked the count to 3-and-0 and was given the hit sign, at least partly because of the potential historic moment. “I’ve given him the green light often on 3-and-0, but I really thought they were going to try and walk him,” Mariner Manager Jim Lefebvre said. “I almost didn’t see it because I had my head turned. . . . What a moment. You’d like to win this game after seening Senior and Junior going back-to-back. You’re never going to see this happen again. I mean, with another father and son. I hope we see it again.”

Angel Notes

General Manager Mike Port said Friday no decision has been made on whether Manager Doug Rader would return next season, but the delay seems to favor Rader’s chances of getting a contract extension. It’s unlikely Port would make Rader wait if Rader was not going to be rehired. . . . Bryan Harvey’s 23rd save gave him 65 with the Angels, tying a club record held by Dave LaRoche.