Mcgwire Goes Deep In Opener

National League

One down, 60 to go.

Mark McGwire started the chase for Roger Maris’ record with a dramatic grand slam Tuesday, leading the St. Louis Cardinals over the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0.

“Opening day, bases loaded, the star, the modern-day Babe Ruth, comes up and hits a grand slam,” teammate Gary Gaetti said.

A sellout crowd of 47,972 screamed in anticipation when Delino DeShields walked on a full count to load the bases with two outs in the fifth inning and McGwire on deck.

McGwire didn’t disappoint them, hitting a towering drive that cleared the left-field wall and broke open a scoreless game.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” McGwire said. “How can you not get chills?”

McGwire, who also doubled, overshadowed a strong performance from winner Todd Stottlemyre. The St. Louis starter gave up three hits in seven-plus innings and didn’t allow a runner past second base.

Giants 9, Astros 4 (13)

Houston

Jeff Kent had a career-high five hits, including a three-run homer, as San Francisco outlasted Houston in 13 innings to win their first opener since 1994.

Winner John Johnstone allowed one hit in two scoreless innings.

Marlins 11, Cubs 6

Miami

For at least one game, Florida looked like the World Series champ of last year.

With a revamped roster that includes 14 rookies, the Marlins scored six runs in the first inning and opened the season by beating Chicago .

World Series MVP Livan Hernandez won despite allowing five runs in 5-2/3 innings, mainly because Gary Sheffield and Charles Johnson hit three-run homers.

It was a familiar start for the Cubs, who set an N.L. record by losing their first 14 games in 1997 en route to a last-place finish.

The game gave the sellout crowd of 41,126 its money’s worth - they even got to boo Marlins owner Wayne Huizenga, who ordered the team dismantled last winter, cutting the payroll from $53 million to $33 million.

Padres 10, Reds 2

Cincinnati

Cincinnati hasn’t started a season this poorly in 36 years. And no shortstop has ever started a season worse than Pokey Reese. Reese tied a opening-day record for shortstops with four errors, helping San Diego and newcomer Kevin Brown roll to victory.

Rockies 9, Diamondbacks 2

Phoenix

Vinny Castilla homered twice and drove in five runs and Darryl Kile pitched like the ace the Rockies expected as Colorado spoiled Arizona’s debut.

The Diamondbacks matched the most-lopsided loss by an expansion team in its first game - the 1962 New York Mets and 1977 Seattle Mariners also lost their openers by seven runs.

Mets 1, Phillies 0 (14)

New York

By the time the Philadelphia and New York finished in the 14th inning, opening day had become opening night.

In the longest scoreless opener in National League history, pinch-hitter Alberto Castillo’s single with two outs and the bases loaded gave New York the victory over Philadelphia.

Braves 2, Brewers 1

Atlanta The team that left Milwaukee behind ruined the city’s return to the N.L.

Gerald Williams trotted home from third after catcher Mike Matheny’s attempted pickoff throw skipped into left field in the ninth inning, giving Atlanta a season-opening victory over Milwaukee, the city’s first N.L. game after 28 years in the American League.

Milwaukee is the first major league team to switch leagues since 1892.