Jason LaRue hits his second homer of the game. (AP photos) | ZOOM |

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        CHICAGO — Though Scott Williamson has many major-league miles to travel before he can say he has arrived as a starting pitcher, the Reds right-hander took a considerable leap forward Saturday.

        Making only his seventh start since leaving the bullpen, Williamson fired a career-high seven shutout innings as the Reds sustained their recent charge with a 3-0 decision over the Chicago Cubs.

        The Reds' third consecutive victory and fourth in their last five games lifted them above .500 (58-57) and kept them 4¹/₂ games behind the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central Division.

        “We have a lot to look forward to,” said Williamson (5-7), who walked five Cubs but allowed just four hits. “We're playing well, and I think the Cardinals are kind of feeling it. Our team has a lot of life. If we keep pitching well, I think a lot of people are going to be surprised where we end up.”

Ken Griffey Jr. doubles for his 100th RBI. | ZOOM |

        A surprise slugger, catcher Jason LaRue, launched a pair of home runs to furnish most of Cincinnati's offense. Ken Griffey Jr. complemented LaRue by recording his 100th RBI of the season with a fifth-inning double off Cubs starter Daniel Garibay (2-5).

        Three runs usually isn't enough to win at Wrigley Field. But Williamson and three relievers stranded 13 baserunners as Cubs hitters went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

        Chicago slugger Sammy Sosa struck out three times against Williamson and hit a comebacker to Danny Graves with runners on second and third and one out in the ninth inning. Graves then retired Mark Grace on a fly ball to left field to seal his 20th save.

        “What I liked about today was we got ourselves in a jam and didn't buckle,” Reds manager Jack McKeon said.

LaRue catches a popup. | ZOOM |

        That described Williamson, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, who pitched just one perfect inning yet lowered his ERA as a starter to 2.87.

        “I really don't know how to express how good he was. He had every single pitch working,” LaRue said. “Hitters didn't know what was coming. He could have a 2-0 count and he'd throw a slider for a strike ... He had the biggest heart in the world today.”

        Williamson walked a pair of Cubs in the first inning but helped himself by picking off Ricky Gutierrez. He survived the second inning despite surrendering a pair of two-out singles and sauntered through the sixth after Grace lashed a leadoff double.

        But the fifth and seventh innings provided Williamson's defining moments.

        Joe Girardi singled to open the fifth before third baseman Chris Stynes fielded Garibay's sacrifice-bunt attempt and threw too late to second base, putting two Cubs aboard. Eric Young advanced the runners with another bunt while being called out at first base on a play the Cubs disputed.

        Gutierrez lined a hanging slider to second baseman Pokey Reese, leaving Williamson one out from escaping the inning. But LaRue wouldn't let him relax.

        Said Williamson: “He came out there and said, "That was a horrible pitch. Let's go.' That's what I needed to hear in that situation.” Up came Sosa, who fanned on a high 3-2 fastball.

        The seventh featured fewer baserunners but greater tension. Having exceeded the 100-pitch barrier, Williamson was beginning to labor as he protected a 2-0 lead. He walked Gutierrez on a full-count pitch to set up another confrontation with Sosa, who began the afternoon sharing the major-league lead in home runs with Los Angeles' Gary Sheffield at 36.

        Out came pitching coach Don Gullett to talk with Williamson. Surely Gullett would summon Scott Sullivan, who had warmed up in Cincinnati's bullpen. But after a brief chat, Gullett left the mound without incident and LaRue gave Williamson an encouraging slap on the butt with his left hand.

        Three pitches later, Sosa fanned on a darting slider.

        “He deserved (to stay in), the way he was going,” McKeon said. “We had a lot of faith in him. There's only one way you're going to develop these guys. Sometimes it might cost you a ballgame, but it looked like he was in a nice, smooth groove.”

        That's exactly how Williamson felt as he threw the final strike to Sosa.

        “As soon as the ball left my hand, I knew he was going to swing at it or it was going to be a strikeout,” Williamson said.

        Right on both counts.

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