By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Paul Wilson allowed four hits in seven shutout innings Wednesday, striking out six and walking one. He threw 66 of 99 pitches for strikes, including 20 first-pitch strikes to the 26 batters he faced. The Cincinnati Enquirer/JEFF SWINGER

Pressed against the white fence and bent over the silver railing, they tried to distract Paul Wilson as he warmed up in the Reds bullpen Wednesday.

Cubs fans repeatedly reminded the starting pitcher of his failed attempt to charge Kyle Farnsworth in June at Great American Ball Park.

The altercation left Wilson bloodied, embarrassed and suspended for five games.

"We all do stupid things," Wilson said. "But that was last year. There was enough fuel for the fire (Wednesday) that I didn't have to think about that."

From the pregame hecklers to a 33-minute rain delay in the fifth inning, Wilson easily negotiated the distractions and the Cubs in his first start of the season.

The right-hander held Chicago scoreless for seven innings and allowed four hits while striking out six in the 3-1 win.

"It's nice to go out there and get a victory the first time out," said Wilson, who threw 69 of 99 pitches for strikes. "It's just nice to go out there and get that first one over with.

"It kind of felt like that first spring training game. I was nervous as hell. I'm always nervous, but just a little more than usual."

A control artist who paints corners with sinkers and an assortment of other off-speed pitches, Wilson faced no more than four batters in any inning.

He also threw first-pitch strikes to 20 of the 26 Cubs batters he faced. Prior to Wednesday, it had been more than two years since Wilson didn't allow a run during a start.

"Seven solid, solid innings," Reds manager Dave Miley said.

Wilson, who went 8-10 with a 4.64 ERA in 28 starts last season, rarely found himself in trouble.

Only five Cubs players reached base, and none touched third.

"It was great to see Paul Wilson pitch so masterfully," shortstop Barry Larkin said. "He stayed ahead, got us ground balls. It was great."

When rain stopped the game for 33 minutes with the Reds batting in the fifth, there was no thought of taking Wilson out.

"Sometimes after a rain-delay you kind of have to watch guys a little bit," Miley said. "But he pitched outstanding."

Wilson spent the delay either throwing in the batting cages underneath the stands or with a heating pad strapped to his shoulder.

He faced eight batters in the sixth and seventh innings, retiring all but Mark Grudzielanek and Moises Alou.

"It was harder mentally just to stay focused in that tunnel," Wilson said. "When I went back out there, I got my heart pumping again and fell right back into my groove."