Lee powers Cubs to victory
Derrek Lee hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth inning to lead the Cubs to a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday afternoon in Chicago.
Michael Barrett hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the seventh for the Cubs, who couldn't get anything going against National League Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter. The righthander struck out nine in six shutout innings, allowing four hits and one walk.
Lee greeted Cardinals reliever Brad Thompson (1-1) with a drive leading off the eighth. Lee's homer landed on Waveland Avenue despite the wind blowing in.
Bob Howry (1-0) got two outs in the eighth and Ryan Dempster pitched the ninth for his first save of the season.
Brewers 5, Diamondbacks 4 -- In Milwaukee, Carlos Lee's ninth-inning single lifted the Brewers over Arizona.
The victory was the Brewers' fifth straight comeback win. They are 5-0 for the first time since 1987 and the third time in franchise history. Dan Kolb (1-0) pitched a scoreless ninth to get the win. Luis Vizcaino (0-1) got the loss.
With one out in the ninth, J.J. Hardy doubled down the left-field line for his third hit of the game. Geoff Jenkins was walked intentionally to put runners at first and second. On a 1-and-2 pitch, Lee lined the ball to center field and Hardy beat Eric Byrnes's throw to the plate.
Reds 11, Pirates 9 -- Rich Aurilia hit a three-run homer as host Cincinnati extended Pittsburgh's worst start in 32 years.
The Pirates are 0-6 for the first time since 1974. The franchise record for season-opening futility is 0-8 in 1955.
Freddy Sanchez had a two-run single in Pittsburgh's three-run ninth but Rick White got Jose Castillo to ground out with Sanchez on second for his first save since June 23, 2005.
Aurilia broke an 0-for-12 slump with his homer in the second off Oliver Perez (0-1). The lefthander had fanned at least 10 batters in five of his 12 career starts against the Reds, but never looked comfortable in this one.
Giants 12, Braves 6 -- Host San Francisco got four hits and five RBIs from Omar Vizquel and a two-run homer from Moises Alou to beat Atlanta.
The Giants scored eight runs off Braves starter Tim Hudson to help Jamey Wright (1-0) win his San Francisco debut. Alou hit his 299th career homer in the first and Vizquel hit a three-run double in a five-run second against Hudson. Barry Bonds went 1 for 3 with two walks. Nationals 12, Astros 8 -- Jose Vidro hit a three-run homer and drove in five runs and Alfonso Soriano had four RBIs to lead visiting Washington.
Houston led, 6-3, before the Nationals scored six runs in the seventh. Soriano's two-out double off Chad Qualls (0-1) gave Washington an 8-6 lead.
Blue Jays 8, Devil Rays 4 -- Gregg Zaun hit a go-ahead homer as Toronto rallied from a four-run deficit to beat visiting Tampa Bay.
Zaun -- activated before the game after being sidelined with a sore right calf -- gave Toronto a 5-4 lead with a two-run homer off Jason Childers (0-1) in the fifth.
Royals 4, White Sox 3 -- Mike Sweeney hit a two-run homer in the eighth as host Kansas City rallied to beat Chicago.
Javier Vazquez, who was making his White Sox debut, tossed seven strong innings. He allowed five hits and a walk and left with a 3-2 lead.
Tigers 7, Rangers 0 -- Detroit's Chris Shelton tripled twice and drove in three runs and rookie Justin Verlander pitched seven innings in Arlington, Texas, for his first career win.
Indians 3, Twins 0 -- Jason Johnson pitched shutout ball for seven innings in his Cleveland debut and Travis Hafner hit his third home run in two games to lead the Indians past visiting Minnesota.
Athletics 3, Mariners 0 -- Barry Zito rebounded from his poor opening day start, combining with three relievers on a one-hitter for visiting Oakland. Mark Kotsay gave the Athletics all the offense they needed with a home run, a triple and two runs scored.
The Marlins-Mets game at Shea Stadium in New York and the Dodgers-Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia were postponed because of rain. The Dodgers and Phillies will play a doubleheader today, while the Marlins and Mets will play twice July 8.
