Lee’s Homer Gives Cubs 3-2 Victory

Derrek Lee hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday afternoon in Chicago.

Michael Barrett hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the seventh for the Cubs, who couldn’t get anything going against National League Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter. The right-hander struck out nine in six shutout innings, allowing four hits and one walk.

Lee, who homered Friday in the Cubs’ home opener, greeted Cardinal reliever Brad Thompson (1-1) with a drive leading off the eighth. Lee’s homer left Wrigley Field and landed on Waveland Avenue despite the wind blowing in. Bob Howry (1-0) got two outs in the eighth and Ryan Dempster pitched the ninth for his first save of the season.

Colorado 12, San Diego 4 -- The Rockies continued their Coors Field-like assault on Petco Park, embarrassing Dewon Brazelton in his Padre debut.

Miguel Ojeda, a former Padre backup catcher, drove in four runs with a homer and single, and Clint Barmes hit a two-run homer. Cory Sullivan tied his career high with four hits -- including three singles in his first three at-bats -- and scored three runs. Jason Smith had three hits as the Rockies routed the Padres for the second straight night.

Milwaukee 5, Arizona 4 -- Carlos Lee’s ninth-inning single led the host Brewers to their fifth straight comeback win. Milwaukee is 5-0 for the first time since 1987 and the third time in franchise history.

Doug Davis lasted only five innings for the Brewers, giving up four runs and five hits. It was the second straight no-decision for Davis, who started the Brewers’ season opener Monday against Pittsburgh.

Washington 12, Houston 8 -- Jose Vidro hit a three-run homer and drove in five runs and Alfonso Soriano had four RBIs to lead the visiting Nationals.

The Astros led, 6-3, before the Nationals scored six runs in the seventh inning. Soriano hit a two-out double off Chad Qualls to drive in Marlon Byrd and Nick Johnson and give Washington an 8-6 lead.

Cincinnati 11, Pittsburgh 9 -- Rich Aurilia hit a three-run homer at home, where the Reds extended Pittsburgh’s worst start in 32 years. The Pirates are 0-6 for the first time since 1974. The franchise record for season-opening futility is an 0-8 mark in 1955.

Florida at New York, ppd. -- Rain postponed a matchup of left-handers Dontrelle Willis and Tom Glavine. The game was rescheduled as part of a July 8 doubleheader.