Associated Press
CHICAGO ó Kosuke Fukudome did everything he could in his first major league game ó except bring the Chicago Cubs a victory.
Instead, the start of the Cubsí 100th season since winning the World Series ended in familiar fashion. Tony Gwynn hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat Chicago 4-3 on a wet Monday at Wrigley Field.
Fukudome, the teamís main offseason acquisition, went 3-for-3, hitting a tying, three-run homer in the ninth off Eric Gagne (1-0).
But it wasnít enough for the Cubs, who havenít even reached the World Series since 1945.
iIt was a pretty good day for me, but we lost the game,î Fukudome said through a translator.
Fukudome excited the crowd of 41,089 when he doubled on his first major league pitch from Ben Sheets, then singled, walked and homered. He got ovations throughout the game, including one when he first went to right field. He tipped his cap and bowed at the beginning of what would be an auspicious start.
Gagne gave up a leadoff single to Derrek Lee in the ninth and walked Aramis Ramirez before Fukudomeís drive into the right-center field bleachers. Fukudome then came out for a curtain call.
Pinch-hitter Craig Counsell opened the 10th with a double off Bob Howry (0-1) and moved up on a sacrifice. And after Rickie Weeks was hit by a pitch for the second straight inning, Gwynn delivered the go-ahead fly. David Riske pitched the bottom of the 10th for the save.
Sheets and Chicagoís Carlos Zambrano pitched shutout ball, the Cubs ace forced out in the seventh because of a forearm cramp.
Pirates 12, Braves 11, 12 innings
ATLANTA ó Tom Glavineís homecoming was long forgotten by the time Pittsburgh finally got the win.
Xavier Nady hit his second homer of the game, a three-run shot in the 12th inning, and Pittsburgh overcame a horrific ninth to ruin Atlantaís home opener.
The Braves took advantage of four walks and a huge defensive blunder to erase the Piratesí 9-4 lead. But Nady, who led off the eighth with a homer, lined a 2-0 pitch from Blaine Boyer (0-1) into the right-field seats with two outs and two aboard in the 12th.
Franquelis Osoria (0-1) pitched three innings for his first major league win. But it was in doubt right to the end: Jeff Francoeur homered, Matt Diaz had an RBI single and the Braves had the potential tying run on base when Corky Miller flied out to center, ending the 4-hour, 28-minute marathon.
Glavine left after the fifth, turning over a 4-2 lead to a bullpen that couldnít hold it.
Mets 7, Marlins 2
MIAMI ó Johan Santana and one big inning were all the New York Mets needed.
Santana struck out eight in seven dominant innings, David Wright hit a three-run double and New York opened its season with a victory.
Dodgers 5, Giants 0
LOS ANGELES ó Joe Torre was victorious in his debut as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Brad Penny allowed four hits over 62/3 innings in his first opening-day start and Jeff Kent hit a two-run homer off Barry Zito as the Dodgers beat San Francisco.
Nationals 11, Phillies 6
PHILADELPHIA ó The Washington Nationals took their late-inning act on the road.
Nick Johnsonís tiebreaking RBI double off Tom Gordon highlighted a five-run ninth inning and the Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 11-6 Monday.
Diamondbacks 4, Reds 2
CINCINNATI ó The defending NL West champions opened the season the way they spent much of the last one: winning a close one.
Brandon Webb pitched six innings and light-hitting Arizona piled up three solo homers to dampen Dusty Bakerís Cincinnati debut.