Vaughn Hitless, but Mets Prevail

Even though the big hits were bloopers, the New York Mets’ revamped lineup produced more than enough runs to win on opening day.

Newcomers Roberto Alomar and Roger Cedeno drove in runs with soft hits and Al Leiter gave up one unearned run in six innings and the Mets defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-2, Monday at Shea Stadium.

“This is something we can anticipate on many nights,” said Leiter, who got little run support last season. “All the runs don’t have to come on three-run homers or bombs from the middle of the lineup. It’s a collective effort. I’ll take six runs every time.”

The Mets didn’t have many days like this last season, when they scored three or fewer runs in nearly half their games. But General Manager Steve Phillips overhauled the lowest-scoring offense in the majors by adding Alomar, Cedeno, Mo Vaughn and Jeromy Burnitz.

The four new starters struggled, going two for 17 with nine strikeouts, including an 0-for-5 and two-strikeout performance from former Angel Vaughn. But Cedeno blooped a run-scoring double in a three-run second inning and Alomar had a soft, two-run single in the eighth.

“It’s a beautiful day,” Alomar said. “The big stage, the fans know the game. It’s really important to start on the right foot.”

Cincinnati 5, Chicago 4--Aaron Boone hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth off Jeff Fassero in the opener of the Reds’ final season at Cinergy Field.

Right fielder Juan Encarnacion misjudged a fly ball, helping the Cubs rally for two runs to tie the score in the eighth. The crowd of 41,913 and the construction workers building the new ballpark were hugging when the Reds pulled it out.

St. Louis 10, Colorado 2--Albert Pujols, last year’s National League rookie of the year, broke open a tight game with a three-run double in the fourth inning and the Cardinals battered Rockies’ starter Mike Hampton at St. Louis.