PEORIA, Ariz. -- It was plain as day -- or night -- that many of the fans attending the Mariners' exhibition game against Australia's World Baseball Classic team on Wednesday evening were lured to Peoria Stadium by the first Spring Training appearance in the Ken Griffey Jr. comeback story.

He received several verbal "Welcome back, Junior," salutes from fans sitting behind the Mariners dugout prior to the game, and an ever warmer, and louder, ovation when he was introduced as the third batter in the bottom of the first inning.

Griffey showed patience at the plate, eventually walking on a full-count pitch from Aussie left-hander Travis Blackley, and reached third base before the inning ended.

He batted again in the second inning, swung at the first pitch, lifted a long fly ball to the warning track in center field for the final out, and headed back to the clubhouse, hugging a couple of Aussie players on the way out.

Sitting in front of his locker afterward, Griffey said his first game with the Mariners after being away for 10 seasons "was fine" and he's still "trying to take everything in stride."

He also tried to downplay the significance of his contribution to the festivities.

"I think you guys [media] put too much effort into making this such a big story," he said.

"I understand it a little bit, but the focus should be on this team, not one guy. It's a Spring Training game. It's about doing the little things and getting this team ready to go north. It's not one person. It's 25 guys."

Griffey said that if the team can get into the habit of doing the little things, like moving runners over and scoring runs with two outs, "big things will happen."

The Mariners hit three home runs in Wednesday night's 11-9 loss. Adrian Beltre hit a leadoff home run to left field in the third inning, Franklin Gutierrez slugged a three-run blast in the fourth and Ronny Cedeno followed with a shot over the fence in left-center.

After the game, Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said Griffey, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, left fielder Wladimir Balentien and Beltre would not play in Thursday's game against the Angels.

Beltre is the only one of that foursome to have played prior to Wednesday night, although the Classic exhibition was his first stint in the field. He came through the defensive test well.

He had one ball hit at him and, as usual, scooped it up cleanly and made a strong throw to first base for the out.

Wakamatsu said he didn't know when Griffey would play again, but said the slugger would return as the designated hitter.

"We'll keep progressing and the last couple of weeks get these guys [ready]," he said. "We'll try to get [Mike] Sweeney in a game this weekend."

The Mariners will have another simulated game on Friday, which is expected to include Sweeney and Griffey, among others.

However, if Griffey would rather play in Friday's road game against the Athletics, all he needs to do is ask and the wish would be granted.

"We are taking it day-by-day," Wakamatsu said. "[Griffey] had some swelling [in his left knee] earlier, but it's gone and now we check with him after a game and the next day to see how it feels. We're taking it slow with him."

Before Wednesday night's game, right-hander Josh Fields faced hitters for the first time, and Wakamatsu said the first-round Draft choice "looked good."

"He threw hard and looked aggressive -- exactly what we thought we'd see at this point," Wakamatsu said. "He may have one or two more of these, and then get him a game at some point. He has been in great spirits the whole camp and a breath of fresh air."

Fields faced Minor League hitters in Wednesday's session, the first time since the College World Series in June that he had pitched to someone with a bat in his hands.

"He looked a little overly excited," Wakamatsu said. "He was rushing it up there a little quick."

The flu bug that bit Mike Morse last week, and caused him to lose nine pounds, found another victim on Wednesday, as pitcher Tyler Johnson was kayoed by flu-like symptoms.

Morse still hasn't gained all nine pounds back, but he's strong enough to get the start in right field in Wednesday night's game, and he went 2-for-2 with a walk.

Minor League outfielder Freddy Guzman had the fractured hamate bone in his right hand removed on Wednesday, and he will miss from three to four weeks.

He was injured on his final swing during an intrasquad game.