Piniella loses in debut as Dunn homers twice

Adam Dunn is thinking more like Ichiro but still swinging like the Bambino.

So far, the weird approach is working.

More intent on putting the ball in play, Dunn homered in his first two at-bats Monday, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-1 win that spoiled Lou Piniella’s debut as the Chicago Cubs’ manager.

Dunn led the NL in strikeouts each of the last three seasons, fanning nearly 200 times per year. He has worked with new hitting coach Brook Jacoby on putting the ball in play, and joked during spring training that he will remind everyone of Seattle’s slap-hitting Ichiro Suzuki.

No resemblance so far.

“We didn’t really change a lot,” Dunn said. “It’s more of a feel, kind of getting a feel for what I’m trying to do. I know that doesn’t make sense to some people. I felt good all spring, I felt good today, I hope I feel good for 161 more games.”

Around the league

Washington Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman, who sat out last season after shoulder surgery, left opening day after straining his left hamstring while running out a groundout in the fifth inning. Center fielder Nook Logan preceded him in the clubhouse after hyperextending his left foot while trying to make a catch in the fourth inning.

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The Colorado Rockies extended the contracts of General Manager Dan O’Dowd and Manager Clint Hurdle through 2009. Both were in the final year of their deals. Hurdle, who has never had a winning record, is 352-437.