By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DENVER - John Riedling and Scott Sullivan were both under the impression that Riedling would be credited with the win in the Reds' 13-11, late-night victory over the Colorado Rockies Wednesday.

"I was signing some autographs after the game and someone said, 'Congratulations on the win,' " Sullivan. "I said, 'What? I thought

Riedling got it.' "

Riedling did, too.

"I couldn't believe it," Riedling said.

Riedling pitched 3 2/3 innings. He entered in the second to bail out starter Ryan Dempster and pitched into the sixth. Sullivan pitched the seventh and eighth.

The Reds lost the lead, retook it and never relinquished it with

Riedling in the game, but the official scorer gave the win to Sullivan. When the starter doesn't go five innings, who gets the win is up to the scorer's discretion.

If it were up to Sullivan's discretion, he would have awarded it to Riedling.

"He went 3 2/3 (innings)," Sullivan said. "He really sucked it up when he needed it. His numbers weren't what he wanted, but that was just the effort we needed."

MORE RIEDLING: Wednesday's outing was the longest of Riedling's career. He threw 64 pitches. In the mile-high air of Denver, that was quite a workout.

"I was spent that last inning," he said. "My arm was fine, but my legs ..."

Riedling did the first extensive base-running of his big-league career, too. He singled for his first hit since Double-A and scored.

"I felt it, especially after scoring," he said. "The altitude gets to you."

Passing the 60-pitch mark bodes well if the Reds ever want Riedling to start, which Reds manager Bob Boone has pondered.

"They haven't talked to me about it," Riedling said. "But I'd like to do it. I'd get more at-bats."

Riedling got a little greedy after the base hit.

"I figured I got the first hit out of the way, I might as well go for my first home run," he said.

Riedling did give one a ride to right, but it went foul.

MORE SULLIVAN: Sullivan pitched well Wednesday. He retired six of the seven batters he faced. That has been the case nearly every time out with Sullivan.

"Other than the Philly game, he's been phenomenal," Boone said.

Sullivan gave up four runs in one-third of an inning in the 13-1 loss to Philadelphia April 13. In his other 12 appearances, he has allowed two runs over 15 innings (1.20 ERA).

"I feel good," Sullivan said. "I just want to do anything I can to help win. We have a lot of young guys on this team. Winning, like losing, is contagious. I'm trying to instill a positive attitude. Confidence is important."

Sullivan struggled last year - 6-5, 6.06 ERA - because of injuries. He is a key figure in the bullpen.

"He's the glue who holds it together," Boone said. "He's a manager's dream. You can't really abuse him. When you do, he throws better. But I really try not to use him too much."

STAT OF THE DAY: Sean Casey grounded into a double play in the seventh inning Thursday. It was his first of the year in 112 at-bats. He entered the game as the fourth toughest hitter in the National League to double up.

HAYNES UPDATE: Jimmy Haynes, on the disabled list with a sore back, will throw off the mound for the first time today if the weather in San Francisco permits.

"I feel pretty good," Haynes said.

Haynes has been long-tossing from 60 to 90 to 120 feet.

He's probably at least a week from returning - if all goes well.

"I'll probably throw one or two more bullpen (sessions)," Haynes said, "then do a simulated game or a rehab start somewhere."

LARKIN UPDATE: Barry Larkin passed all the tests on his injured left calf Thursday. He expects to be activated today or Saturday in San Francisco.

"I'm past the point where I could tear it," Larkin said.

Who goes when Larkin is activated? It will be a tough call. Ryan Freel is the obvious choice, though he has played well. He adds a dimension as a base-runner.

Wily Mo Pena and Ruben Mateo, the out-of-options outfielders, have a total of one at-bat over the last four games.

WE HARDLY KNEW YA: Eric Cyr, the left-hander the Reds claimed off waivers April 23, is going back to the club from which they claimed him.

The Anaheim Angels claimed Cyr off waivers Thursday. Cyr made one appearance for Double-A Chattanooga. He allowed three runs in two innings in the outing.