As experiments go, this one had everybody in the science lab high-fiving one another. Veteran closer Danny Graves - making his first big-league start Tuesday night - changed speeds on his fastball, baffled hitters with two different types of breaking balls and relished the thought of hitters swinging from the heels instead of laying down bunts as they would late in a game.

        “It's a lot different mentally than pitching in the ninth inning,” Graves said. “But I could get used to it. I definitely could get used to it.”

        Also pitching lights out were relievers Chris Reitsma (6-10), Scott Sullivan, John Riedling and Scott Williamson (second save in as many nights).

        The Reds shut out the Pirates 3-0 before 13,153 fans at Cinergy Field.

        In a trial run for next season, Graves used three of his four pitches (he never got to throw his changeup), pitched mostly ahead in the count and pitched out of trouble on the one occasion it arose (two on, none out), escaping with a double-play ball.

        His toughest time was before the game.

        “My stomach was hurting,” he said. “It was weird. I don't like sitting around waiting. Nobody would talk to me. I tried to get them to talk, but they wouldn't. They don't think that's good.”

        The blast of the night was a 432-foot, fifth-inning home run by Russell Branyan over the “Black Monster,” the 40-foot-high center-field wall to make the score 1-0. In the eighth, Jose Guillen added an RBI single and Aaron Boone and RBI double.

        The Reds brass has been thinking of converting Graves to a starter since last year. But they weren't in a position to do it coming out of spring training, because Williamson and Riedling were coming off arm surgeries.

        “For the last few years this team has been saying it needs that one extra guy in the rotation,” Graves said “We made some trades - unfortunately it hasn't worked out and we don't know who we're going to be able to sign next year - so since I'm going to be here one way or the other, anyway, why not have that extra arm in the rotation?”

        Now there's a novel concept: Take one for the team!

        “I'm not saying it's going to work, but I think it's worth a shot,” Graves said before the game. “If it doesn't work, I can go back to being a reliever.”

        Graves, who has always had a great temperament for a closer - relish the ball, shake off the rough outings and get 'em tomorrow -thinks he is just laid-back enough to be a starter. He also thinks it could prolong his career, because he'll have time to work on his physical fitness.

        He struggled more than usual early and midway this season in save situations.

        “I still think I can save 30-plus games a season - as long as the opportunities are there,” Graves said. “There haven't been as many opportunities lately. I think that also helps the decision. I know when I'll be pitching if I'm in the rotation.”

        Graves was on roughly a 40-pitch count Tuesday night. He used most of his 38 pitches wisely - except for the two Pirates he hit with pitches.

        In his three innings, he gave up two hits, no runs and no walks and had two strikeouts.

        The fans gave Graves a big ovation when he gave way for pinch hitter Wily Mo Pena (single up the middle in his big-league debut) in the bottom of the third inning.

        Reitsma was excellent (31/3 innings, two hits, six strikeouts), and Scott Sullivan was back to being himself (two-thirds of an inning, no hits). So were Riedling (big double-play ball) and Williamson (one-hit ninth).

Reds 3, Pirates 0 Reds Box, Runs Rijo deserves to start Cinergy finale Branyan conquers Black Wall Taylor gets down the line fast Reds mark 9-11 with pregame ceremonies Cards 8, Brewers 3 Astros 11, Rockies 4 Diamondbacks 8, Padres 2 Giants 5, Dodgers 2 Angels 5, Athletics 2 Rangers 3, Mariners 2

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