By Kevin Kelly and John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

More often than not this season, pitcher Paul Wilson has given the Reds a chance to win.

"You can't say enough about what he's done," manager Dave Miley said. "He's been outstanding for us."

Wilson turned in his sixth consecutive quality start Thursday, and his 17th in 27 starts overall this season, but got a no-decision against the Brewers.

The right-hander allowed one earned run on seven hits. A 29-pitch first inning shortened his outing.

"Yeah, (a quality start) keeps my team in the ballgame, but it kind of puts a strain on the bullpen when I'm done after six innings," Wilson said. "Obviously, my pitch count in the first inning hurt me in the long run.

"It's kind of mixed emotions. I got a quality start, but big deal, we lost the game."

At 8-10 with a 4.62 ERA, he is the sole surviving starter from the opening day rotation.

And unless the Reds make a trade soon - Wilson reportedly has cleared waivers - he looks to be the only real lock in Cincinnati's 2004 starting rotation.

The 15 other pitchers to start at least one game for the Reds this season are a combined 19-50 with a 6.10 ERA.

"As much as he's thrown, he did his job," Miley said. "Fortunately, we got enough runs across to get him a no-decision. He's pitched his (tail) off for us."

COST OF WINNING: Milwaukee manager Ned Yost and his coaches promised the Brewers players that they would dress in Hooters outfits for the flight home if the club won 10 in a row.

The 4-3 win over the Reds Thursday was the 10th straight. Yost and staff kept up their end of the deal.

"They might get arrested at the airport," one media type said after seeing them in the getup.

MATEO OUT: Ruben Mateo was out of the starting lineup Thursday. He's been bothered by a sore right hamstring.

Mateo pinch hit in the seventh inning and remained in the game and played right field.

"It's better today," Mateo said. "It was sore yesterday and two days ago."

Mateo has been one of the Reds' better hitters recently. He has hits in seven of his last nine games and is hitting .294 over that period.

CORKY OUT: Catcher Corky Miller was optioned to Triple-A Louisville to make room on the roster for Russell Branyan, who was activated from the disabled list.

The Reds had been carrying three catchers since Miller was recalled from Louisville Aug. 16. Miller originally was supposed to stay with the Reds for a couple of days, but the Reds kept him on the roster when Adam Dunn went on the disabled list.

Miller went 2-for-8 in three games, two of them starts, for the Reds.

Branyan started at third and went 0-for-3.

PTBNL: Ken Griffey Jr. walked through the clubhouse Thursday on his way to rehab, stopping along the way to introduce himself to new Reds.

"I'm the player-to-be-named-later," Griffey said.

WATSON UPDATE: Right-hander Mark Watson was released from Good Samaritan Hospital Thursday.

He is suffering from inflammation of his kidneys. He'll be on medication for two weeks and then will be re-examined. He will not pitch the rest of the year.

Watson was hospitalized a week ago after a game in Arizona with swelling in his legs and arms.