All’s Well for Rockies in Home Opener

On a day when the Colorado Rockies wanted everything to go right--the home opener before a capacity crowd--everything did.

Jeff Reed hit a three-run homer, Jason Bates had three hits, and Bill Swift held Cincinnati without a hit until the fifth inning Monday as the Rockies beat the Reds, 13-2.

Reed and Bates were each thrust into the starting lineup because of injuries and Swift, a question mark because of injuries over the last two years, pitched six strong innings as Colorado won its fifth consecutive game.

Vinny Castilla also hit a three-run homer for the Rockies.

“I didn’t have too much to do today--just make out the lineup,” Rockies’ Manager Don Baylor said. “Offensively, we just jumped on them right away. That’s what we’re all about in this ballpark. And Billy Swift was just spectacular today.”

Colorado pitching, always suspect, has been brilliant over the last five games. The last five Colorado starters have combined for a 5-0 record and 2.08 ERA.

“Good pitching is contagious, just like good hitting,” Swift said. “When you see guys doing well, everybody wants to do the same.”

Having proved at last they could win on the road, the Rockies played true to form at home, pounding out 19 hits.

The Rockies drew 48,014 for their home opener, extending their consecutive sellout streak to 133 games--a major league record.

San Francisco 4, Philadelphia 3--Shawn Estes came off the disabled list to win his season debut, allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings, as the Giants beat the visiting Phillies.

Jeff Kent drove in two runs on a sacrifice fly and bases-loaded walk, one of two by rookie Calvin Maduro (0-2) in San Francisco’s three-run first.

Estes kept the Phillies hitless until pinch-hitter Kevin Sefcik singled up the middle with two outs in the fifth inning.

He gave up four hits, the last a two-run double to Mike Lieberthal, before being lifted in favor Julian Tavarez with two outs in the sixth. Estes, activated prior to the game, struck out four and walked four in earning his fourth career victory in 12 major league decisions.

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Eric Young Colorado 3 for 4, 3 runs, Win 1 stolen base Vinny Castilla Colorado 2 for 4, double, Win HR, 3 RBI Ken Caminiti San Diego HR makes him Win 9 for 18 vs. Jon Lieber

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Shawn Estes San Francisco 5 2/3 innings, Win 2 runs in first game off DL Rod Beck San Francisco 1 scoreless inning Win for 4th save Andy Ashby San Diego 8 innings, 3 hits, Win 1 run, six strikeouts

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