Cubs (0-9) Only One Loss Short of Record

The Chicago Cubs’ season-opening losing streak reached nine games Saturday, as Jeff Blauser’s two-out, ninth-inning single off Mel Rojas lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 2-1 victory at Chicago.

The Cubs face Atlanta again today with a chance to tie the 1988 Braves’ record for worst start in modern NL history. The all-time league mark is 0-11, set in 1884 by Detroit’s old NL entry. The major league record is 0-21 by Baltimore in 1988.

Andruw Jones opened the ninth with a single off Bob Patterson (0-1) but was forced at second when Ryan Klesko put down a poor bunt. Klesko then stole second. Rojas struck out Javy Lopez but Blauser singled to center on the next pitch.

Cincinnati 2, Florida 1--Pokey Reese’s first major league hit, a two-out single in the bottom of the 10th inning, gave the Reds the victory at Cincinnati.

Rick Helling (0-1) escaped a scoring threat in the ninth, but gave up a one-out single to Eric Owens in the 10th. Owens advanced on Deion Sanders’ groundout and scored on Reese’s soft opposite-field single.

Houston 7, St. Louis 5--Pinch-hitter Bob Abreu hit a bases-loaded triple and fill-in starter Ramon Garcia worked five solid innings as the Astros defeated the Cardinals at St. Louis.

Jeff Bagwell added his second home run and ninth run batted in--six against St. Louis.

Colorado 12, Montreal 8--Larry Walker and Vinny Castilla hit two-run home runs as the Rockies defeated the Expos for their seventh consecutive victory.

Colorado scored four runs in each of the first two innings off Jim Bullinger (0-2).

San Francisco at New York--The Mets’ home opener against the Giants was postponed by rain. The teams will play a doubleheader today.

San Diego at Philadelphia--The Padres’ game against the Phillies was postponed by rain, and the teams will play a doubleheader Aug. 25.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Seattle 5, Boston 1--Jim Corsi threw one sinker too many.

After fielding a bunt in the 10th inning, the Boston Red Sox reliever threw the ball into the dirt and into the Seattle dugout, allowing pinch-runner Rich Amaral to score the game-winning run in the Mariners’ victory at Boston.

After Dan Wilson doubled to lead off the 10th, Amaral ran for him and Russ Davis bunted it back to Corsi (0-1), who fielded it cleanly but then threw the ball between Tim Naehring’s legs.

Minnesota 11, Kansas City 6--Pat Meares’ three-run homer helped boost the Twins to the victory at Kansas City.

Chicago at Detroit--The White Sox-Tigers game was rained out, and rescheduled as part of a doubleheader today.

Texas at Baltimore--Steady rain postponed the game between the Orioles and Rangers. No makeup date was announced.

Oakland at New York--Because of rain, the Athletics-Yankees game will be played as part of a doubleheader today.

Toronto at Milwaukee--Snow postponed the game.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Pat Meares Minnesota 2 for 3, 3 RBI, 2 runs, 1 HR Win Bret Boone Cincinnati single, double broke 1-for-22 slump Win Vinny Castilla Colorado 2 for 4, 3 RBI, 1 HR, 1 stolen base Win Pokey Reese Cincinnati first major league hit a game-winner Win Gary Gaetti St. Louis 3 for 3, 2 runs, double Win Alex Rodriguez Seattle 2 for 5, 2 RBI, double Win Chuck Knoblauch Minnesota 3 for 5, 1 RBI, 1 run Win Scott Cooper Kansas City 3 for 5, 2 RBI, 1 HR Loss

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Jeff Fassero Seattle 9 innings, 2 hits, 1 run, 6 strikeouts Win Greg Maddux Atlanta 7 innings, 4 hits, 1 unearned run Win Kevin Brown Florida 7 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, 5 strikeouts Loss John Wasdin Boston 7 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 4 strikeouts Loss

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