HOUSTON — Though the Reds lost a chance to tighten the National League Central Division race, they left Enron Field with some positive feelings Thursday night.

        The Reds' 6-2 loss to the Houston Astros robbed them of the opportunity to trim St. Louis' division lead to five games. Cincinnati hasn't been that close since June 15, when the Cardinals owned a 4¹/₂-game edge. Still, the Reds (48-47) couldn't complain about their 5-3 trip, which concluded before a sellout crowd of 42,559.

        They trimmed St. Louis' lead from eight to six games . Now they can attempt to whittle that margin during a six-game homestand that begins tonight against the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks.

        The Reds lost to the least successful pitcher (Jose Lima, 3-13) on the major leagues' worst team (Houston, 33-62). But two developments made this a feel-good setback:

        • Mark Wohlers, who hadn't pitched in the majors since April 1999 with Atlanta, made a successful return by pitching two perfect innings and striking out the first two Astros he faced.

        • Moeller High School graduate Mike Bell made his major-league debut in the seventh inning, striking out as a pinch hitter. Bell became part of the first three-generation baseball family to play for the same team, following his grandfather, Gus (1953-61) and his father, Buddy (1985-88).

        Wohlers, whose career was nearly derailed by control problems, an anxiety disorder and extensive elbow surgery, needed just 14 pitches to retire six hitters.

        “I've never done that before,” Wohlers said. “Maybe the guys weren't too sure where the ball would end up — that's why they were swinging at the first pitch in my second inning.”

        Said Reds manager Jack McKeon: “That was the positive of the night.”

        Bell batted for reliever Scott Winchester, but his excitement gripped him just a little too much as he faced Lima.

        The Reds couldn't recover after Scott Williamson (3-7) finally hit a rough spot in his transition from the bullpen, issuing four walks in three innings while allowing two runs (one earned).

        “He's entitled to have an off night,” McKeon said.

        A tight elbow hastened Williamson's departure, but Williamson said it won't prevent him from starting Tuesday against Houston.

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