Expos Shut Out Bumbling Braves

The Atlanta Braves don’t look anything like the team that won 11 division titles in a row.

Five-time Gold Glove winner Andruw Jones dropped a routine fly ball to lead to Montreal’s first run and Brad Wilkerson hit a two-run homer off Atlanta newcomer Russ Ortiz to help the Expos win, 4-0, Thursday night at Atlanta to give the Braves their worst start in 15 years.

The Braves are 0-3 for the first time since 1988 when they began 0-10. That was three years before they began their record run of division titles. Atlanta was outscored 17-2 in the three-game sweep and was shut out for the second consecutive game.

Montreal starter Javier Vazquez (1-0) pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out five to help the Expos get off to their best start since going 3-0 in 1997.

Chicago 6, New York 3 -- Sammy Sosa drove in three runs with two singles, and although he didn’t hit home run No. 500, he still helped the Cubs win two of three at New York. Mark Prior gave up four hits in six innings and Mark Grudzielanek scored three times for the Cubs.

Pittsburgh 7, Cincinnati 5 -- Reggie Sanders went four for five with two home runs to help the Pirates keep the Reds winless in their new ballpark. Pittsburgh hit eight homers in the series.

Florida 8, Philadelphia 3 -- Mark Redman had a career-high 10 strikeouts for the Marlins, who hit three homers and won at Miami to avoid being swept in their opening series.

St. Louis 6, Milwaukee 4 -- Albert Pujols had a homer and three RBIs to help the Cardinals win at St. Louis and complete a three-game sweep.

Colorado 10, Houston 5 -- Nelson Cruz beat his former team and Bobby Estalella hit two home runs to help the Rockies win at Houston.