Recap of the early opening games

National League
Cincinnati took its home opener, 5-3, over Montreal, when Hector Bennett belted a 3-run homer in the 7th. Ivan Saenz got the win in relief and Chuck Vaughn notched the save.

In Washington, D.C., new leadoff man Damion Stock tripled, homered and scored both runs for the Nationals in a 2-1 squeaker over Pittsburgh. Les Walker tossed 7 scoreless innings for the home team, and Alan Lucasiewicz got the save.

Jose Roque scored on Hector Price's fielder's choice grounder in the bottom of the 7th, and that was the deciding run in Florida's home win over Atlanta, 6-5. Gabe Barrett smacked 2 homers for the Marlins, Philip Kingston got the rare 1-pitch win, and Denny Watson took the save with 2 innings of work.

6 San Francisco pitchers scattered 9 hits and shut out the Padres, and Jolbert Romero homered in a 4-0 win. James Hutton gave up 2 runs in 3 innings in his NL debut (after 11 AL seasons); Vladimir Avila got the win in relief for the Giants.

American League
The White Sox opened with an 8-4 road win in Minnesota, plating 4 in the top of the 11th inning. Carlos Valentin tripled in Luis Parra, Walter Phillips singled home Valentin, and Pat Itou homered for the final 2 in the decisive frame. Miguel Colome earned the win with a scoreless inning and 2/3 for the visitors.

Hi Zaun popped 2 homers and drove in 4, and Diego Wilfredo got the complete game win as Cleveland spoiled Boston's home opener, 8-4. Pedro Garrido added 3 hits (including a solo homer) for the Tribe; Jerry Murray and Tony Rivera homered for the Sox.

In Texas, Santos Lorenzo fired a complete-game, 3-hit shutout, and newcomer Carlos Cruz blasted a 3-run homer as Tampa Bay topped Texas 5-0. Vic Gonzalez and Placido Santana added solo homers for the Rays; Rangers' ace Sherry Pierre was notably absent from his traditional opening-day starter role.

Oakland pounded Anaheim starter George Bush for 8 runs (3 unearned) in the first 4 innings, and cruised to an 8-0 home win over the Angels. Javier Valdes and Ugueth Ontiveros each had 3 hits and drove in 2, and Phil Chang homered for the A's. Javier Gonzalez allowed just 5 hits over 8 and a third for the win.