Fernandez’ Homecoming a Good One

A wave of applause carried Alex Fernandez from the mound to the dugout. Leaving a game in the seventh inning never felt so good.

Fernandez made a victorious debut for his hometown team and Jeff Conine hit a first-inning grand slam as the Marlins beat the Cubs, 8-2, Thursday night for a season-opening, three-game sweep at Miami.

The Cubs’ woes were compounded when Mark Grace left the game in the sixth inning because of a strained right hamstring. Grace, who pulled up running out a triple, was off to a 5-for-10 start.

Fernandez allowed one run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings, retiring 13 consecutive batters at one point. The Miami native signed a $35 million, five-year contract in December after seven seasons with the Chicago White Sox.

“It was an emotional feeling I’ll never forget,” he said. “It was bigger than great.”

Florida officials had hoped for a sellout with the local hero pitching, but the crowd of 32,592 was nearly 10,000 below capacity. Fans gave Fernandez a standing ovation when he left in the seventh.

“I’ve pitched in the playoffs, and I’ve pitched well in the playoffs,” he said. “But this was something different. There were a lot of people who know me in the crowd. I could tell when they called my name out. It was a wonderful night, and the best thing is that we won.”

The Marlins are off to the fastest start in their five-year history.

The three-game sweep was Florida’s first against the Cubs, who managed 15 hits in the series and were outscored, 16-7.

Moises Alou, who went three for four, singled home Florida’s first run in the first inning following walks to Edgar Renteria and Gary Sheffield.

New York 4, San Diego 1--The Mets’ bullpen finally saved one.

Bobby Jones pitched eight strong innings and John Franco worked the ninth as visiting New York avoided a season-opening sweep.

New York started the season 0-2 thanks to its relievers blowing late-inning leads in each of its first two games. But Jones limited the Padres to six hits in eight innings, and Franco closed out the ninth for his 324th career save.

“I don’t put any pressure on myself,” Jones said. “I know it’s an important game. I’m aware of the situation, that the bullpen has been in the games quite a bit.”

Bernard Gilkey hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning to help oust San Diego starter Fernando Valenzuela.

Jones, who had a 2.33 ERA in six spring games, struck out five and walked one in improving to 4-1 in his career against San Diego.

Colorado 7, Cincinnati 1--Larry Walker had two run-scoring hits in the visiting Rockies’ six-run fourth inning and added a solo homer.

“That’s the thing with him,” Rockies manager Don Baylor said. “If he gets off to a great start, he’s going to be able to have an outstanding year--if he stays healthy.”

It was Colorado’s first victory of the season.

Mark Thompson, one of the Rockies’ numerous pitching concerns in spring training, gave up five hits over seven innings for the victory.

Montreal 9, St. Louis 4--Shane Andrews, Rondell White and David Segui homered as the Expos beat the visiting Cardinals for their first three-game sweep to open a season.

St. Louis, the defending NL Central champion, dropped to 0-3 for the first time since 1988. The Expos have won 11 of their last 15 games against the Cardinals.

Carlos Perez won his first start since Sept. 22, 1995, allowing four runs and seven hits in seven innings. Perez, who missed all of last season following shoulder surgery, allowed just one hit after the third.

Rookie Dimitri Young hit his first major league homer, a two-run drive in the third, and drove in three runs for the Cardinals.

The sweep was no surprise to Shane Andrews.

“It’s a great feeling, sitting on the bench knowing that someone’s going to hit the ball hard.”

Atlanta 3, Houston 2--After going hitless for 6 2/3 innings against Darryl Kile, it looked as if the Braves would drop to 0-3 this season.

Then Fred McGriff homered, and the Braves finally got going, rallying to beat the Astros at Houston for their first win.

McGriff’s homer broke up Darryl Kile’s no-hit bid in the seventh and Jeff Blauser and Keith Lockhart each hit sacrifice flies for the Braves.

Kile, who pitched a no-hitter in 1993, confounded the Braves with a nasty curve ball through the first six innings and was bidding with what would have been the earliest no-hitter by date.

“He was nasty,” Chipper Jones said of Kile. “He had no-hit stuff. There’s little justice in this game because he deserved to win. But you’ve got to give our guys credit. We kept scratching and clawing and finally we put together enough to pull it out.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

*--*

Player Team Performance Result Larry Walker Colorado Line: 5-2-3-3, with HR, double Win Bernard Gilkey New York 1 for 4, HR, 2 runs, 2 RBI Win Rondell White Montreal Line: 4-2-2-2, with HR, double Win Jeff Kent San Francisco 2 for 4, with HR, double, 5 RBIs Win

*--*

PITCHING

*--*

Player Team Performance Result Darryl Kile Houston no-hitter for 6 2/3 inn., 2 hits, 7 Ks Loss Bobby Jones New York 8 innings, 6 hits, 1 earned run, 5 Ks Win Mark Thompson Colorado 7 innings, 5 hits, 0 runs, 3 strikeouts Win Ismael Valdes Dodgers 7 innings, 1 run, 5 hits, 4 Ks Win

*--*