By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The optimists in the Reds clubhouse focused not on the first inning home run or the 36-pitch third inning.

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What mattered most, they said, was that Cory Lidle kept his team in the game, despite a 7-4 season-opening loss against the Cubs on Monday at Great American Ball Park.

"He made a couple of mistakes," Reds pitching coach Don Gullett said. "But he certainly bounced back strong and kept us in there.

"It could have been worse than it was. It shows the type of competitor he is."

Lidle's first start with the Reds - he signed a one-year contract during the offseason - was a showcase of abilities and vulnerabilities.

The veteran right-hander allowed five runs on six hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked one.

"It was everything I expected," Lidle, 32, said. "There was a lot of excitement. The fans were in the game.

"I'm just happy to get it out of the way."

Lidle breezed through the first two innings.

Aside from a solo home run by Cubs center fielder Corey Patterson on the fourth pitch of the game, Lidle needed only 16 pitches to negotiate the first and second.

It was the third inning that got him in trouble.

Lidle retired the first two batters, but then loaded the bases.

Cubs second baseman Mark Grudzielanek singled, Patterson was hit on an 0-2 pitch. Right fielder Sammy Sosa walked on a 3-2 count.

"I just got a little outside of myself once I got through the meat of the lineup the second time," Lidle said. "I fell behind and that hurt me."

What hurt most was what followed Sosa's walk.

Moises Alou smacked a 3-2 double into the left-field corner that cleared the bases and put the Cubs ahead 4-0.

"One bad inning and one big hit for them," Reds catcher Jason LaRue said. "They get paid just like we do. They did a great job in that inning, being patient and coming up with the big hit when they needed one."

Lidle threw 36 of his 79 pitches in that inning.

He needed 27 pitches to get through the fourth and fifth innings before coming out of the game.

"He hurt himself a little bit in the third," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "With two outs you'd like to be able to finish the inning, finish them off.

"He battled and gave us five strong innings. He kept us in the ball game."

Lidle's contributions Monday extended beyond the mound.

A successful sacrifice bunt off Cubs starter Kerry Wood led to two runs in the third inning. It was a significant accomplishment, considering Lidle spent the previous five seasons in the American League.

"I didn't know what to expect," he said. "Kerry threw me a ball right down the middle. I'm just happy I got it down."

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E-mail kkelly@enquirer.com