Expos’ Rally In 10th Ruins Cards’ Opener

National League

F.P. Santangelo drove in the go-ahead run with an infield hit in the 10th inning Monday night, and the Montreal Expos beat St. Louis 4-3 to spoil the Cardinals’ home opener.

Mark Grudzielanek singled off Jeff Parrett (1-1) to start the 10th, took second on Mike Lansing’s sacrifice and third on a groundout. Moises Alou was intentionally walked and Santangelo beat out a dribbler to the right side.

Alou ran into Cardinals second baseman Luis Alicea on the play and Cardinals manager Tony La Russa argued unsuccessfully for an obstruction call.

Dodgers 1, Braves 0

Los Angeles

Hideo Nomo, the 1995 N.L. rookie of the year, pitched a three-hitter in the Dodgers’ home opener and Los Angeles beat Tom Glavine and Atlanta.

Nomo pitched the first shutout of the 1996 season, allowing only David Justice’s leadoff single in the second inning, Jeff Blauser’s two-out double in the eighth and Fred McGriff’s leadoff single in the ninth.

Cubs 9, Rockies 6

Denver

Scott Servais drove in a career-high five runs with a home run and double, and Mark Grace added three RBIs as Chicago ruined Colorado’s home opener.

The Cubs, winning their 10th straight road opener, blew a 6-0 lead, but Servais hit a three-run, tie-breaking homer in the seventh off Kevin Ritz (1-1).

Astros 6, Giants 2

Houston

Mike Hampton allowed four hits and struck out eight in eight innings, leading Houston over San Francisco, stopping the Astros’ three-game losing streak.

Houston got a strong performance from Hampton (2-0), who didn’t allow a runner past second base after the third inning and struck out three of his last four batters. Doug Jones finished with a hitless ninth.

Reds 7, Mets 6

Cincinnati

Cincinnati stole seven bases - its highest total in eight years - and Jeff Branson homered in the eighth inning for the victory over New York.

Pete Schourek (2-0) allowed three runs on seven hits in 6-2/3 innings in near-freezing conditions. The temperature was 42 degrees at the first pitch and tumbled into the mid-30s by the late innings.

Phillies 6, Pirates 3

Pittsburgh

Sid Fernandez and four relievers ruined Pittsburgh’s best start in 13 seasons and its home opener, leading Philadelphia to the victory.

The Phillies led 2-0 even before Denny Neagle retired a batter. Mark Whiten hit a three-run homer in the sixth after the Pirates’ starter had settled down to retire 13 consecutive hitters, and Lenny Dykstra homered later.

Padres 9, Marlins 2

San Diego

Ken Caminiti, Tony Gwynn and Wally Joyner kept up their torrid hitting and San Diego rallied to run its winning streak to five with the victory over Florida.

American League

Twins vs. Red Sox, ppd.

Boston

The game between Minnesota and Boston was postponed due to rain and snow. The teams will attempt to make up the game today.