Reds 7, Brewers 6
CINCINNATI (AP) - Ramon Hernandez hit a two-out, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, rallying Cincinnati to the victory in an opening-day flashback to its NL Central title season.
The Brewers became the first team in 42 years to open the season with back-to-back homers when Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez connected off Edinson Volquez. Ryan Braun also had a solo shot, helping Milwaukee take a 6-3 lead to the ninth.
That's when the Reds reverted to their winning ways of 2010. Their first six wins last season came in their final at-bat, tying the major league record. Hernandez connected off closer John Axford (0-1).
Logan Ondrusek pitched a scoreless inning to get the win.
Braves 2, Nationals 0
WASHINGTON (AP) - Returning from major knee surgery, Chipper Jones doubled before scoring the 2011 season's first run, and Derek Lowe allowed three singles in 5 2-3 innings, helping Fredi Gonzalez get the win in his debut as Atlanta's manager.
The Braves played their first regular-season game since Bobby Cox retired at the end of 2010 after two decades - and 15 playoff appearances - as their skipper.
With his sinker in fine, darting form, Lowe (1-0) struck out six and walked two. Brian McCann drove in 1999 NL MVP Jones by grounding a single up the middle off Livan Hernandez (0-1) in the first, and Jason Heyward led off the second with a homer.
Craig Kimbrel worked a 1-2-3 ninth for the save, his second in the majors.
Hernandez allowed four hits, struck out three and walked none in 6 1-3 innings for the Nationals.
Padres 5, Cardinals 3, 11 innings
ST. LOUIS (AP) - Cameron Maybin tied it with a two-out homer in the ninth inning and grounded a single that led to the go-ahead run in the 11th, leading San Diego to the victory.
Cardinals star Albert Pujols shared a big hug with manager Tony La Russa during player introductions, then endured an awful start to what could be his 11th and final season in St. Louis.
Pujols grounded into a career-worst three double plays while going 0 for 5. The three-time NL MVP cut off contract negotiations at the start of spring training and could be a free agent this fall.
Shortstop Ryan Theriot's fielding error in his St. Louis debut allowed the go-ahead run to score.
Matt Holliday homered in the eighth and had three hits for St. Louis.
Pat Neshek (1-0) pitched one inning for the win. Heath Bell closed for the save.
Bryan Augustenstein (0-1) took the loss.
