The Associated Press

BELLEVUE, Ky. - Cincinnati utility player Ryan Freel was charged with drunken driving hours after the Reds beat the New York Mets 7-6 in their season opener.

Police arrested Freel on Monday night in this northern Kentucky community, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. He was charged with drunken driving, careless driving and having an open container in a motor vehicle.

He was released about 3 a.m. Tuesday from the Campbell County Jail in Newport after a $500 bond was posted for him, jail authorities said. Freel, who is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday morning, issued an apology through the Reds.

''I intend to handle this matter in an upright and honest fashion and will do everything in my power to assure that I never again find myself in this situation,'' Freel said.

In a statement attributed to general manager Dan O'Brien and field manager Dave Miley, the Reds declined to comment on Freel's situation while legal proceedings are pending.

''However, we do not condone behavior of the type charged, which is wholly inconsistent with the principles of this organization and our community and is detrimental to the positive direction we seek to follow,'' they said.