CHICAGO — A pair of struggling relievers righted themselves Friday, just in time to help the Reds secure their 6-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

        Danny Graves, who had struggled with his release point while losing two games and blowing two saves in a stretch of six appearances, retired all but one hitter he faced in the final two innings to record his 19th save.

        Mark Wohlers, who had walked five batters and allowed two hits in 1 1/3 innings over his previous two appearances, pitched a scoreless seventh to earn his first victory since Sept.4, 1997, when he was with Atlanta.

        Graves, who hadn't pitched since he allowed back-to-back eighth-inning home runs and absorbed the defeat in Sunday's 9-6 loss to Florida, sensed that he had regained the movement on his sinkerball with a recent pregame throwing session in the bullpen. Graves noticed he had been throwing from a lower arm angle, which robbed his “out” pitch of its diving action.

        “It was a great day for me, for my confidence, and for the team as well,” Graves said. “I wanted to try to be as natural as I could. ... Just grip it and rip it.”

        Wohlers, whose comeback from an anxiety disorder and elbow surgery has been the stuff of Hollywood, continued to downplay his achievement — and for good reason, because relievers tend to earn victories by accident.

        “It's not like I went out there and pitched eight scoreless innings,” Wohlers said. “It's like being in the right place at the right time. I didn't ask for a game ball or anything like that. When (wins) come, great, but it's not like a sentimental feeling or anything.”

        Wohlers added, “It's better than a loss.”

        PROSPECT SNARED: The Reds have signed their second pick from the second round of June's amateur draft, left-hander Ryan Snare from the University of North Carolina.

        Terms of the signing were not disclosed, though nobody else in the second round has signed for a bonus lower than $450,000. Snare went 9-1 with a 3.14 ERA in 17 games for the Tar Heels.

        Cincinnati's top three choices remain unsigned — shortstop David Espinosa, right-hander Dustin Moseley and catcher Dane Sardinha. General manager Jim Bowden said the Reds remain close to signing Moseley. As for Espinosa, the organization's No.1 pick, who has a full scholarship to the Uni versity of Miami, Bowden said: “We continue to have conversations with the Espinosa family.” Espinosa and Sardinha have been receiving advice from agent Scott Boras, who's known for taking a hard-line stance in negotiations.

        SALUTING SAMMY: As he does before every Cubs-Reds series, Jack McKeon exchanged pleasantries with Chicago slugger Sammy Sosa, who was clearly pleased to see the Cincinnati manager.

        Watching Sosa kiss a little girl who was on the field for a pregame promotion, McKeon said: “He has fun playing the game. He signs autographs. He's fan-friendly. He'll foul up once in a while, but he plays hard. He's the draw here. This is his team.”

        Despite all that, McKeon understood why the Cubs nearly traded Sosa to the New York Yankees in July. “They were talking about trying to rebuild this club, and they probably could get a lot for him.”

        Yet McKeon thought it also made sense for Sosa to remain a Cub. He's signed through 2001 with a mutual option for 2002: “How could you play in a better park, if you're a home-run hitter, with the wind blowing out in half your (home) games?” ARMS GRIDLOCK: Chicago-area newspapers were filled with bleatings about the AL Central-leading White Sox needing a veteran starting pitcher to offset the corps of rookies they've been forced to use. But because the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline has passed, this doesn't necessarily mean the White Sox will be able to renew their interest in Reds right-hander Pete Harnisch.

        The White Sox eyed Harnisch briefly but closely after the All-Star break before deciding his shoulder was too much of a risk. Players now must pass unclaimed through waivers before they can be traded.

        “It's almost impossible,” Bowden said.

        So unless the 15-18 teams remaining in postseason contention suddenly drop their competitive guard, Harnisch and other competent yet marketable pitchers will stay where they are for the rest of the season.

        ETC. Shortstop Barry Larkin returned to the Reds' lineup after missing five games with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Larkin went 0-for-5 and was replaced defensively in the ninth inning by Juan Castro.

        • The Wrigley Field crowd of 40,586 was the 27th sellout to see the Reds this season. It also was the largest Wrigley gathering since 40,846 paid to see the Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers on Sept.13, 1998.

        UP NEXT: Scott Williamson, who has never allowed a run to the Cubs, will start today's nationally televised game (Channel 19) at 1:15 p.m. Williamson (4-7 overall, 2-2 as a starter) blanked Chicago in seven relief appearances dating to last year.

        The Cubs adjusted their pitching rotation, announcing that left-hander Daniel Garibay (2-4) will start today. Right-hander Ruben Quevedo (1-3), originally listed as today's starter, will pitch Sunday night.

Reds 6, Cubs 4 Box, runs Young: Reds fans louder in Chicago Graves, Wohlers ends struggles

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