CINCINNATI (AP) -- Playing up to the Big Red Machine's standards wasn't so tough. Playing in their double-knit uniforms was another matter.

Barry Larkin and Ken Griffey Jr., who were raised on Big Red Machine lore, homered Saturday as Cincinnati beat the Minnesota Twins 9-3 on a night dedicated to past champions.

Dante Bichette also hit a home run as the Reds donned double-knits and low-stirrup socks to honor the 1975 World Series champions, then did that team proud.

"I think it motivated us," said Bichette, who has homered in each of his last three games. "If we were to ever come close to playing like those guys, tonight was the night -- to honor those guys."

The replica uniforms were the only problem. Some of them didn't fit very well, making it an uncomfortable tribute.

"These pants are way too tight," catcher Eddie Taubensee said. "Every time I'd squat down, my pants would fall down."

Bichette compared the tight-fitting pants to cardboard.

"There is no way those guys wore these uniforms," he said. "I asked all of those guys if it was the same uniform and they said no."

Denny Neagle (5-0) remained unbeaten since last Aug. 30, a span of 19 starts, by giving up four hits in seven innings. He also singled with the bases loaded to spark the go-ahead rally in the fourth inning.

The Reds introduced their 1975 team along the first baseline before the game and inducted manager Sparky Anderson and shortstop Davey Concepcion into their Hall of Fame.

The biggest ovations and the banners were for Pete Rose, who was barred from the festivities because of his lifetime ban for gambling. When the '75 team took its positions on the field, Larkin -- a Cincinnati native -- jogged to Rose's unoccupied spot at third and placed a single red rose on the base.

"It was the right thing to do," said Larkin, who grew up in Cincinnati.

Larkin again revved up the 45,617 fans by hitting a two-run homer in the bottom of the first off Sean Bergman (3-4), who had another rough outing. Bergman gave up seven runs in four innings, pushing his ERA to 9.59.

After the Twins pulled ahead 3-2 in the third on Jay Canizaro's first homer of the season, Neagle helped the Reds go ahead to stay in the fourth. Bergman walked the bases loaded and Neagle tied it with a two-out infield single up the middle.

Griffey, whose father, Ken Sr., was introduced as part of the '75 team, ended his 0-for-18 slump with an opposite-field homer leading off the fifth. Griffey has 15 homers and 39 RBI to go with his .210 average.

Bichette hit the next pitch for his eighth homer, ending Bergman's outing. It was the first time that Griffey and Bichette have hit consecutive homers.

While Griffey has slumped, Bichette has become the Reds' hottest hitter, going 12-for-26 during a seven-game streak. Bichette is 8-for-12 in the last three games.

Larkin also drove in a run in the sixth with his first triple of the season.

Neagle made his 200th career start and his first against the team that drafted him in the third round in June 1988.

Since a 5-2 loss to Atlanta last Aug. 25, Neagle has gone 11-0 in 19 starts with a 2.95 ERA.

Bergman, a National Leaguer the past four seasons, doubled and struck out, leaving Twins pitchers with a hit in each of their first two interleague games.

Last year, Twins pitchers went 1-for-18 with eight strikeouts in interleague play.

Game notes
Minnesota's Matt Lawton batted against Dennys Reyes, who hit him in the face last June 8, shattering his right cheek and eye socket. Lawton grounded out in the eighth. ... The Twins have homered in eight consecutive games for the first time since June 13-21, 1997. ... Shortstop Cristian Guzman bounced a throw to first to retire Larkin on a groundout in the third, a move that Concepcion perfected on turf. Concepcion purposely skipped his ceremonial first pitch to Johnny Bench on one hop before the game. ... The Reds improved to 4-4 on a 12-game homestand that is their longest of the season. ... Reliever Mark Wohlers pitched one perfect inning, striking out two, for Class A Dayton. Wohlers, recovering from elbow surgery, will pitch for Triple-A Louisville next Tuesday.