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NL: Maddux outdone in return

Associated Press
Published April 13, 2004

CHICAGO - Greg Maddux's Wrigley Field homecoming with the Cubs was upstaged by Kris Benson.

Benson allowed one hit in six superb innings, outpitching a wild and ineffective Maddux as the Pirates beat the Cubs 13-2 Monday in Chicago's home opener.

Making his first appearance at Wrigley in a Cubs uniform since Sept. 30, 1992, Maddux (0-2) got a rousing ovation when he was introduced as he was warming up in the bullpen.

Maddux left the Cubs in 1992 after winning the first of four straight Cy Young Awards, then helped the Braves to 10 straight first-place finishes and the 1995 World Series championship.

His decision to return to Chicago had Cubs fans ecstatic. But he's yet to win in two starts. He lasted only 32/3 innings, giving up five walks, eight hits and six runs.

Benson (1-0) gave up a first-inning infield single to Sammy Sosa that went off third baseman Chris Stynes' glove and a pair of unearned runs before leaving for a pinch-hitter in the seventh. The Cubs had only two more hits.

REDS 4, PHILLIES 1: Paul Wilson allowed just one run over 71/3 innings, and Cincinnati beat host Philadelphia in the first game at Citizens Bank Park, triggering boos from fans frustrated by the team's slow start.

D'Angelo Jimenez got the first hit, a ground-rule double down the rightfield line on the fourth pitch of the game from Randy Wolf.

Bobby Abreu hit the first home run, the only bright spot for a dismal Phillies offense that has scored 16 runs in seven games.

A sellout crowd of 41,626 spent most of the afternoon hiding from the rain on a 48-degree afternoon. Most of the seats in the upper deck were empty by the fifth inning, and some of the remaining fans were booing or chanting "Let's go, Flyers!" by the seventh.

METS 10, BRAVES 6: New York hardly missed Mike Piazza and Cliff Floyd in its home opener. Newcomers Kaz Matsui and Mike Cameron each drove in two runs, and Steve Trachsel was terrific on the mound (four hits, one run) and at the plate (one run, one hit and three RBIs). Todd Zeile added three hits for the Mets.

ROCKIES 7, DIAMONDBACKS 4: Host Colorado rallied for four runs in the seventh inning, capitalizing on Arizona reliever Jose Valverde's wildness. The Rockies erased a 3-0 deficit with just one hit in their winning rally. Colorado loaded the bases with a single and two walks off Mike Koplove, then Koplove walked in a run. Valverde relieved and hit a batter and threw two wild pitches - all allowed runs to score.

ASTROS 10, CARDINALS 5: Richard Hidalgo hit a three-run home run and broke an eighth-inning tie with a sacrifice fly for visiting Houston. Craig Biggio had three doubles, three RBIs and scored three times for the Astros.

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