Rob Bell struck out nine in his first start. (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

        LOS ANGELES — Don Gullett likes Rob Bell's inquisitiveness.

        “He always has a couple or three questions for me during the course of a game,” said Gullett, the Reds' pitching coach who's only too happy to explain for Bell a particular pitch selection, strategical move or situational nuance.

        Bell already has answered a significant question for himself and observers — whether he can pitch successfully in the major leagues. His response was an unqualified yes in his major-league debut against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, when he allowed three runs and three hits while striking out nine in seven innings.

        The wondering is far from over. Now Bell must address whether he can pitch consistently as a Red, a question that the 23-year-old will need most of the season to answer. He'll resume that process today when he faces the Los Angeles Dodgers to begin a three-game series.

        “He doesn't have to try to do more just because he's facing a different team,” Gullett said.

        Despite Gullett's calm remark, the Reds (4-5) eagerly await Bell's development. Though he's only their No.5 starter, the lingering skepticism about their rotation — fed by the starters' 5.30 ERA so far — forces them to hope the right-hander can fulfill his potential quickly.

        Bell withstood the rigors of facing Chicago's Sammy Sosa and Mark Grace and coping with first-game jitters. Today, though, represents another test. Bell will oppose another dangerous lineup, featuring Gary Sheffield, Shawn Green, Eric Karros and Todd Hundley, before an expected sellout crowd at Dodger Stadium for Los Angeles' home opener.

        “It's certainly a long way from being in Double-A,” Gullett said. “It's probably an ultimate test, other than postseason play, in regards to how he responds and handles himself mentally.”

        Bell doesn't intend to let the novelty of the major leagues overwhelm him.

        “I try to make it just like anything else and not get caught up in it,” he said. “I'm excited about going to

        Los Angeles. How could you not be? Going to these cities is a heck of a lot better than being in Knoxville, Tenn.”

        Enduring early jitters will be a key for Bell, who yielded three runs in the first two innings against the Cubs.

        “He's a guy who's going to be an aggressor,” Gullett said. “At times, trying to do more than he's capable of doing is going to haunt him a little bit. He has to control his temperament in certain situations. But you'd rather see that than a guy who crawls back in his shell.”

        Bell persevered against the Cubs by striking out Sosa with the bases loaded to end the second inning.

        With that, Bell said, he began thinking: “"I have to pitch loose. I've got the stuff to pitch here. Now I just have to pitch my game.' I really settled in my zone from there. I forgot about how cold it was. I forgot about the lineup I was facing. I forgot about the major-league debut and all that other stuff that surrounded me.”

        Sosa's strikeout began a streak of 16 consecutive batters Bell retired. But he also knows he needs a selective memory.

        Vanquishing the Cubs? Ancient history.

        “I tried to put that start behind me as quickly as I could,” Bell said. “I enjoyed it that night and thought about it the next day, but at the same time, I'm facing a tougher lineup (today). I can't dwell on that too much. It's a good way to start, but I'm going to have to try to top that or stay right there.”

        The confidence he gained in his stuff? Remember it forever.

        “I think you have to,” Bell said. “It's going to come and go. There are going to be days when I'm throwing 95 or 96 and painting the black. I'm going to have other days where I struggle to put it together, battle to get guys out and really work to keep the ball down. There are days when (Ken Griffey) Junior sees the ball like a beach ball and others when it's like a pinhead. It's just the nature of the game.”

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