Braves Start Year With Two Losses

National League

A night after beating John Smoltz, the Houston Astros defeated Greg Maddux, too.

Derek Bell hit a two-run double in a four-run third inning to lead Houston over the Atlanta Braves 4-3 Wednesday night at Houston, sending the N.L. champions to their first 0-2 start since 1991.

Smoltz and Maddux lost their final starts in 1996, to the New York Yankees in Games 5 and 6 of the World Series.

Atlanta pulled within a run in the ninth on Jeff Blauser’s RBI double off Jeff Hudek. Blauser took third on Keith Lockhart’s groundout, Billy Wagner relieved and Kenny Lofton lined into a game-ending double play.

Marlins 4, Cubs 3

Miami

Al Leiter and three relievers combined on a five-hitter to lead Florida past Chicago.

Leiter allowed four hits and two runs in five innings for his 50th career victory at age 31, against 44 losses.

The Marlins are 2-0 for the first time in the franchise’s five-year history.

Reds 5, Rockies 3

Cincinnati

Deion Sanders had four hits and Reggie Sanders hit a three-run homer as the Reds had another big first inning. In two games, the Reds have outscored Colorado 7-0 in the first inning.

Expos 4, Cardinals 1

Montreal

Jeff Juden allowed two hits in seven innings in his first start since 1995 and Henry Rodriguez went 3 for 4, leading the Expos to a win.

Chris Widger hit his second career home run for Montreal, which dropped the defending N.L. Central champions to 0-2.

Dodgers 5, Phillies 1

Los Angeles

Raul Mondesi hit a three-run home run in the first inning to back seven strong innings from Hideo Nomo as Los Angeles beat Philadelphia.

Mondesi, who went homerless in 79 spring training at-bats, went 3 for 4 with four RBIs as the Dodgers got their first win of the season after being shut out by the Phillies on opening day.

Clearing the bases

Curt Schilling’s agent Jeff Borris said contract talks with the Phillies collapsed and the pitcher will become a free agent this fall. Schilling, who allowed two infield hits over eight innings Tuesday in a 3-0 opening-day victory over Los Angeles, wanted a $15.45 million, three-year deal. … Chicago’s Ryne Sandberg needs three RBIs for 1,000 in his career, and one homer to tie Joe Morgan as the all-time leader among second basemen.

The Reds fired Howard Alford, their new field superintendent. Managing executive John Allen declined to comment. But it was known that pitching coach Don Gullett and the club’s old field superintendent worked with the grounds crew until 8 p.m. Monday getting the mound ready for opening day.