CINCINNATI -- With the season starting to slip away, the Cincinnati Reds started doing something about their unreliable rotation.

	Bell

The Reds optioned rookie Rob Bell to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, shaking up their rotation on the eve of an important stretch of games against St. Louis.

A 5-4 loss to San Diego dropped the Reds a season-high 8{ games behind the Cardinals in the NL Central, their biggest deficit in two years. They play seven games against the Cardinals in the next 11 days.

The Reds open a four-game series against St. Louis at home Monday. Bell was scheduled to pitch Wednesday's game, but will be replaced either by Elmer Dessens or Manny Aybar, both long relievers.

The Reds planned to call up reliever Scott Winchester from Triple-A Louisville on Monday to take Bell's roster spot. Winchester, 27, hasn't pitched in the majors since 1998, when he had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.

In 26 relief appearances for Louisville this season, Winchester had three saves and a 1-0 record with a 3.31 ERA.

The Reds also are hoping to bring Pete Harnisch back for a game next Friday in Arizona. Harnisch, disabled by a weak shoulder, lasted 5 2/3 innings Sunday in a rehab start for Louisville, his final test before being activated.

Harnisch gave up six hits and six runs -- two earned -- and didn't walk anyone while striking out six. He gave up a first-inning homer but allowed only two hits to the last 18 batters.

Bell, 23, was promoted from Double-A during spring training to be the fifth starter. General manager Jim Bowden said at the time that he knew the club was rushing Bell to the big leagues.

The right-hander pitched well initially, then fell into a four-game rut. He lasted only 4 /3 innings Friday in a 10-7 loss to San Diego. In his last four starts, Bell gave up 16 runs in 15 innings.

"He had 15 starts and he was going backward," manager Jack McKeon said. "Hopefully he can get it together down there."

Poor starting pitching has been the Reds' biggest problem, leaving the consensus pick to win the NL Central with a 35-38 record. The Reds are one of only two teams in the majors without a complete game, and their bullpen leads the National League in innings pitched.