Griffey Delivers Again With a Big Father’s Day

CINCINNATI —  With a noteworthy home run, Ken Griffey Jr. turned Father’s Day into another personal hallmark moment.

Griffey hit a tiebreaking, three-run shot in the eighth inning Sunday, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to an 11-8 victory over the Atlanta Braves that snapped their six-game losing streak.

Griffey’s 513th homer moved him into sole possession of 16th place on the career list, prevented a four-game sweep by the Braves and saved the last-place Reds from hitting another low point.

Last year, Griffey hit home run No. 500 on Father’s Day in St. Louis with his dad, Ken Sr., in the stands. His father was at home Sunday.

“He’ll know,” Griffey said. “Even though he’s home.”

Griffey has five homers on Father’s Day, trailing Mike Piazza by one for the most among active players. His 15 runs batted in are the most by any current player on the day.

The Reds hadn’t even led a game for a week. They pulled ahead three times on Sunday -- by two, five and one run -- and blew all three leads. Finally, Griffey gave them one that would stand up.

Adam Bernero (4-2) gave up two one-out singles in the eighth before Griffey homered.