CINCINNATI — Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 594th career homer today, a two-run shot that resumed his pursuit of a seldom-reached milestone and powered the Cincinnati Reds to an 8-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Griffey's first homer of the season off Brett Myers (0-1) left him six shy of becoming the sixth player in major league history to reach 600 homers. He would join Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa.

Jeff Keppinger homered and drove in three runs for the Reds, who improved to 4-2 with another encouraging start by a newcomer.

Right-hander Edinson Volquez (1-0) struck out eight in 5 1-3 innings, the second time during the homestand that a young Reds pitcher made a good first impression. Johnny Cueto had one of the best big league debuts in franchise history on Wednesday, striking out 10 in seven innings of a 3-2 win over Arizona.

The 24-year-old Volquez, who was part of the trade with Texas for Josh Hamilton in December, got a standing ovation when he left with a 4-1 lead in the sixth. He gave up five hits and a pair of walks.

Like Cueto, Volquez took advantage of the hitters' unfamiliarity with his fastball or his approach. He got Jimmy Rollins to take a 94 mph fastball for a called third strike in the third inning, then caught Shane Victorino looking at a 95 mph fastball on the corner.

Pat Burrell had a run-scoring single in another subpar showing by a Phillies offense that led the league in runs last season.

Myers moved back into the rotation after the Phillies got closer Brad Lidge from Houston on the offseason, a move that helped the defending NL East champions in a couple of ways. So far, it hasn't translated into a win.

Lidge missed the first four games while still recovering from knee surgery in February. Myers got a no-decision on opening day, lasting five innings in an 11-6 loss to Washington. Against the Reds, he gave up eight hits, three walks and four runs in five innings.

Griffey's two-run homer in the first inning came in his 16th at-bat of the season and set a tone. Keppinger led off the third with his second homer of the season, and broke the game open with a two-run double in the sixth off Clay Condrey.

Notes: Myers is the 378th pitcher to give up a homer by Griffey, who was 3-for-9 career off the right-hander before he connected. ... It was Griffey's 100th career homer in his hometown. Of those, 62 have come at Great American Ball Park. ... Volquez was 3-11 in 17 starts and three relief appearances for the Rangers. ... The Phillies have been held to three or fewer runs three times this season, setting up their 2-4 start. ... Lidge made his first appearance since coming off the disabled list on Saturday, pitching a perfect eighth. ... 2B Chase Utley hit his 150th career double.