The Reds’ Ken Griffey Jr., center, is honored by former Mariners teammates Edgar Martinez, left, and Jay Buhner, right, during a ceremony before Friday’s game at Safeco Field. Griffey went 1-for-5 in his first game in Seattle since being traded eight years ago. Associated Press Photo.

SEATTLE - Ken Griffey Jr. never liked being the focus, or speaking about himself.

So it seemed appropriate on the night Griffey was honored by the city where he became a star, it was his teammates providing the highlights.

While Griffey was being adored by Seattle fans, it was David Ross and Brandon Phillips both hitting two homers, and Aaron Harang working eight strong innings in Cincinnati's 16-1 rout of the Mariners on Friday.

Playing his first game in Seattle since being traded after the 1999 season, the one-time face of the Mariners organization was received with adulation and appreciation from the fans, many of whom dusted off old No. 24 Griffey jerseys for the occasion.

He was lauded with a lengthy standing ovation during a pregame ceremony, biting his lip and dipping his head at times during the applause. It was the polar opposite of the reception Griffey feared - the boos that accompany Alex Rodriguez's annual return.

Griffey told the crowd he didn't realize how much he missed being in Seattle - then watched his current squad roll to just its third win in the last nine games, scoring a season high in runs.

Harang (8-2) won his third straight decision, allowing two hits and an unearned run in eight innings. He struck out seven and only once did Seattle put more than one runner on base against him.

Harang was given plenty of offensive support, although the one player everyone came to see was mostly quiet at the plate.

Flashbulbs popped around the stadium every time Griffey stepped into the batter's box. He was given a standing ovation in the first as the music that played when he walked to the plate as a Mariner rang through the stadium.

After two throws to first base by Seattle starter Ryan Feierabend - both of which drew boos - Griffey hit a hard grounder just under first baseman Richie Sexson's glove with one out in the Reds' four-run first. He later scored on Alex Gonzalez's two-out, three-run double that just eluded the reach of Raul Ibanez in left field.

Griffey finished 1-for-5 and struck out three times. He was pulled after striking out to end the top of the sixth, with the Reds leading 16-1. A few fans booed when Jeff Conine trotted out to right field in the bottom of the inning, while many others headed to the exits.

Ross and Phillips homered in the third and again in the sixth. Ross hit a two-run homer in the third and a three-run shot in the sixth. Phillips hit two solo shots, and both ended the night for Seattle pitchers - Feierabend in the third and Jason Davis in the sixth.

Josh Hamilton also homered in the fifth for Cincinnati.

Every Cincinnati starter had a hit and scored a run.

Feierbend (1-2) struggled after pitching well in his first two starts. The 21-year-old gave up nine runs and six hits in 2 2-3 innings, walking five. He threw 41 pitches in the first inning.

Seattle manager Mike Hargrove was ejected in the top of the second inning for arguing from the dugout with plate umpire Mike Winters.

The lone highlight for Seattle was Ichiro Suzuki extending his hitting streak to 17 games with a single to center in the fourth. Seattle's only other hit off Harang was a single by Jose Vidro in the third.

Notes: Harang has not lost since May 20 at Cleveland (six starts). ... Seattle LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith made his major league debut striking out Griffey with two outs in the sixth. ... The 46,340 was the sixth-largest regular season crowd in Safeco Field history.