Ventura Delivers Initial Blows

Robin Ventura had never faced Atlanta’s Kerry Ligtenberg, and was hitless against John Rocker before Tuesday. That all changed in two at-bats for the New York Met third baseman.

Ventura hit a pair of two-run homers, including one off Ligtenberg in the 10th inning Tuesday, to lead the defending National League champion Mets to a 6-4 victory over Atlanta in the Braves’ home opener.

His eighth-inning homer off Rocker had given the Mets a 4-2 lead in their season opener.

“I haven’t had a lot of success against [Rocker],” said Ventura, who was 0 for 5 against the Atlanta left-hander. “To just get a pitch and get a piece of it was something.”

Both home runs came on the first pitch.

Tsuyoshi Shinjo, the second Japanese position player to sign a major league contract, singled with one out in the 10th off Ligtenberg. The Braves’ reliever retired Edgardo Alfonzo for the second out, but Ventura, who went two for five, hit Ligtenberg’s first pitch into the right-field seats.

“I missed my spot and got it up and over the middle,” Ligtenberg said. “If I make my pitch maybe it’s different, but I didn’t. Some nights you get away with mistakes. Unfortunately, tonight John and I didn’t.”

Dennis Cook got the victory, pitching a scoreless ninth inning, and Armando Benitez got the save with a scoreless 10th.

The Braves tied it at 4-4 in the eighth off Met relievers John Franco and Turk Wendell, scoring on run-scoring hits by Rafael Furcal and Brian Jordan.

It was the first of 19 games between the clubs this season. Since 1998, the Braves lead the series, 29-15, including the postseason. Atlanta has also won 18 of 22 games against the Mets at Turner Field.

Houston 11, Milwaukee 3--Daryle Ward, subbing for injured Moises Alou, hit his first career grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs in the Astros’ season-opening victory over the Brewers at Houston.

Craig Biggio, returning from off-season knee surgery, went five for five.

Cincinnati 3, Pittsburgh 2--Barry Larkin doubled home a pair of runs and Alex Ochoa had a run-scoring triple to help give new Red Manager Bob Boone his first victory at Cincinnati.

Cincinnati spoiled the managerial debut of Pittsburgh’s Lloyd McClendon. Ken Griffey Jr. was out of the Reds’ lineup for the second day with a strained left hamstring.

Philadelphia 4, Florida 3--Brian Hunter scored the go-ahead run from second base on a sacrifice fly, and the Phillies got their second consecutive one-run victory at Miami.