Houston, we have liftoff for the Rocket
HOUSTON Looking nothing like a guy who had called it quits, Roger Clemens dominated Barry Bonds and the Giants, holding them to one hit over seven scoreless innings in his Houston debut and pitching the Astros past San Francisco 10-1 Wednesday night.
Clemens posted his 311th victory, tying former teammate and mentor Tom Seaver for 16th on the career list. Clemens also delivered a hit-and-run single in his first at-bat.
Reds 3, Cubs 1
CINCINNATI Ken Griffey Jr. hit a two-run homer in his first at-bat of the season, leading Cincinnati to a victory that spoiled Greg Maddux's reunion with the Chicago Cubs.
Adam Dunn also homered off Maddux.
Griffey, who missed the season opener because of a strained calf, hit his 482nd career homer to put the Reds up 3-0 in the third and leave the pro-Cubs crowd in a funk.
Expos 3, Marlins 2
MIAMI Claudio Vargas allowed four hits in six innings, and Carl Everett and Orlando Cabrera each homered to lift Montreal over Florida.
It was a rare victory against starter Brad Penny, who was 10-2 against Expos in the last five seasons. It also snapped Florida's seven-game winning streak at home against Montreal.
Cardinals 9, Brewers 4
ST. LOUIS Scott Rolen capped a five-run rally in the seventh inning with a three-run homer, helping St. Louis win their first game of the season.
Jim Edmonds and Rolen each hit their first homers of the season for the Cardinals, who stumbled to an 0-2 start against a rebuilt team that went 68-94 last year.
Braves 18, Mets 10
ATLANTA Adam LaRoche got the first two hits of his big league career during an 11-run inning, helping Atlanta beat the New York Mets.
Johnny Estrada and pinch-hitter Julio Franco also had two hits in the fourth the biggest inning for the Braves since they scored a team-record 13 runs against Houston on Sept. 20, 1972. LaRoche also got his first RBI.
Phillies 5, Pirates 4
PITTSBURGH Philadel-phia scored twice in the eighth off Brian Boehringer to rally for their first victory of the season.
With the Pirates up 4-3, Mike Lieberthal singled and Jimmy Rollins doubled to start the eighth. Reliever Brian Boehringer then walked David Bell and pinch-hitter Ricky Ledee in succession to score the tying run, and Marlon Byrd's RBI force out made it 5-4.
Dodgers 2, Padres 1
LOS ANGELES Paul Lo Duca's two-out RBI single in the 11th inning drove in Milton Bradley with the winning run, and Los Angeles beat San Diego for a second straight victory in its last at-bat.
Bradley started the winning rally by drawing a one-out walk from Eddie Oropesa (0-1). After Shawn Green flied to center, Ismael Valdez relieved Oropesa and Bradley stole second on the first pitch.
Bradley went to third on a wild pitch before Lo Duca lined a 1-2 pitch past third baseman Sean Burroughs down the left-field line for his fourth hit of the game.
Jose Lima (1-0) worked two shutout innings in his first appearance for the Dodgers to earn the win.
Local product Jeff Weaver enjoyed a successful debut with the Dodgers, allowing one run in seven innings.