Cubs (0-11) Set NL Standard for Futility

Eleven games. Eleven losses. Futility has become a way of life for the Chicago Cubs.

After losing, 10-7, Tuesday at Chicago to the Colorado Rockies, the Cubs own the modern National League record for consecutive losses to start a season.

“I can’t sleep, I can’t eat,” center fielder Brian McRae said. “I have to send my wife away on a trip until things get better, because I’m not fun to be around right now.”

The Cubs have become the laughingstock of baseball, breaking the Atlanta Braves’ 1988 NL record for worst start and matching the 0-11 mark set in 1884 by the league’s old Detroit entry. The 1988 Baltimore Orioles hold the major league record, 0-21.

“They can laugh about it and joke about it. We’ll see what happens at the end of the season,” McRae said. “Because it will be funny to shove it back in a lot of people’s faces if we end up having a good year.”

That, of course, is a pretty big if.

“I’m concerned that we’re digging a huge hole,” Manager Jim Riggleman said. “We know we’re going to play better. But if we’re 12 or 15 games down, it’s going to be for naught.”

Riggleman was plenty concerned before the game when he noticed the wind was blowing out of Wrigley Field at a 21-mph clip.

“The Rockies are tough regardless,” he said. “But when the wind’s blowing out, they’re a nightmare.”

Colorado got five home runs, including Larry Walker’s eighth and ninth, to win its fifth consecutive road game. Walker also singled twice and drove in four runs for the Rockies, whose 9-3 start is the best in their five-season history.

“I’m seeing the ball well and having fun,” said Walker, who was limited to 83 games in 1996 because of injuries. “Last year was frustrating, but this year shows the hard work I put in during the off-season.”

Walker leads the majors in homers, RBIs (22), runs (19), total bases (57) and extra-base hits (14). His slugging percentage is an amazing 1.239, and he is batting .522. Over a full season, his totals project to 312 hits, 253 RBIs, 218 runs and 103 home runs.

“He’s a legitimate triple-crown threat,” Riggleman said. “The combination of his talent and where he plays . . . he’s got a chance.”

San Francisco 8, Philadelphia 4--Jeff Kent homered for the third consecutive game and the Giants won at Philadelphia. It was the Giants’ fifth win in a row and their fourth in a row on the road.

The Giants hadn’t started a season 4-0 on the road since 1963.

Kent, who missed the second game of a doubleheader Sunday at New York after sliding headfirst into third base, also drove in three runs.

“It’s nothing special, it’s just baseball,” said Kent, now batting .361. “I’m trying to be more selective at the plate and I’m trying to control my emotions. Our pitchers have done an outstanding job.”

Kent led off the fourth inning with his fourth home run. He had an RBI single during a four-run rally in the sixth that put the Giants ahead 5-4. He later drove in a run with a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning.

Atlanta 3, Cincinnati 0--John Smoltz pitched the 10th shutout of his career and Jeff Blauser and Ryan Klesko each hit RBI triples at Atlanta as the Braves won their fourth in a row. Atlanta is 7-1 at Turner Field.

Smoltz (2-2), whose last shutout came July 13, 1996 against Florida, allowed six hits. The NL Cy Young winner from last season struck out seven.

Blauser, who has 16 hits in his last 39 at-bats, put the Braves ahead with his triple in the second. Klesko tripled home a run in the third.

Former Brave Kent Mercker (1-1) lost in his first start for the Reds.

Pittsburgh 3, San Diego 2--Tony Womack was hit in the face by Sterling Hitchcock’s pitch with the bases loaded in the ninth at Pittsburgh, shakily got to his feet minutes later and wobbled to first base with a trainer at his side as Pittsburgh beat San Diego.

Greg Vaughn hit his third homer in the top of the ninth off Pirate closer John Ericks (1-0) to tie it. Jason Kendall and rookie Jose Guillen singled to start the Pittsburgh ninth off Padre starter Andy Ashby (0-1).

The Padres then retired Kendall at third on Joe Randa’s failed bunt attempt, but pinch-hitter Kevin Young singled sharply to left--his fourth hit in seven at-bats this season. Hitchcock then replaced Ashby and hit Womack.

St. Louis 9, Florida 3--Brady Raggio won his major league debut, outpitching Alex Fernandez and driving in a run to lead the Cardinals over the Marlins at Miami.

The 24-year-old Raggio, recalled Monday from triple-A Louisville, allowed five hits and two runs in 5 1/3 innings. His one-out squeeze bunt in the fourth gave the Cardinals a 4-0 lead.

The Cardinals, who have five pitchers on the disabled list, won for the first time in seven road games this year. Florida lost its third game in a row.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Larry Walker Rockies 4 for 4, 4 RBIs, two homers Win Jeff Kent Giants 2 for 4, 3 RBIs, one homer Win Rob Butler Phillies 3 for 3, 2 RBIs Loss

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result John Smoltz Braves 9 innings, 6 hits, 0 runs Win Pedro Martinez Expos 6 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs Win Jon Lieber Pirates 7 innings, 6 hits, 1 run Win

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