NEW YORK, 14 April 2004 — Kris Benson pitched six innings of one-hit ball to upstage the return of Greg Maddux as the Pittsburgh Pirates pummeled the Cubs 13-2 in Chicago’s home opener at Wrigley Field on Monday.
Benson (1-0) was charged with two unearned runs with one strikeout and four walks as he allowed just an infield single by Sammy Sosa before he left after six full innings.
His performance took the spotlight off Maddux, who made his return to Wrigley Field in a Cubs uniform after 11 seasons with the Atlanta Braves.
Maddux (0-2) struggled with his control and lasted just 3 2/3 innings on a windy and cold day, allowing six runs — five earned — on eight hits with five walks and one strikeout.
It was the first game at Wrigley for the Cubs since they lost the NL pennant last season in seven games, blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Florida Marlins in the process.
Making his first appearance as a Cub since Sept. 30, 1992, Maddux received a lengthy ovation from the home fans as he was introduced.
However, he was ineffective in his second start with the team since signing as a free agent in the off-season.
Jose Castillo paced the Pirates 17-hit attack with three hits, two runs scored and an RBI, while Jack Wilson and Raul Mondesi also had three hits and drove in a run for the Pirates.
Tike Redmen and Jason Kendall both drove in three runs for the Pirates.
Brian Meadows relieved Benson to start the seventh and got credit for his first save with three innings of two-hit shutout ball.
Sosa had two of Chicago’s three hits in the game.
In other action, Paul Wilson allowed one run in 7 1/3 innings as the Cincinnati Reds spoiled the opening of the new Citizens Bank Park with a 4-1 win over the Phillies in Philadelphia.
The Phillies were booed by their fans as the NL East favorites for this season continued their slow start, losing their fifth straight game to slip to 1-6.
D’Angelo Jimenez had two hits and scored two runs for the Reds, who are 5-2 to start the season.
Ryan Freel added two hits and drove in a run, while Adam Dunn also had two hits.
Wilson (2-0) allowed six hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Danny Graves got the last three outs for his fourth save.
Randy Wolf (0-1) was the loser, allowing four runs on seven hits over five innings.
Bobby Abreu homered for the lone Phillies run.
In New York, Kaz Matsui and Mike Cameron each drove in two runs as the Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 10-6 in their home opener.
Todd Zeile had three hits for the Mets, while Steve Trachsel (1-1) got the win. J.D. Drew and Johnny Estrada both homered for the Phillies, who trailed 10-0.
Charles Johnson drove in three runs and had a pair of hits as the Colorado Rockies won their home opener in Denver, beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-4.
Vladimir Nunez (1-0) got the win with two outs as the Rockies scored four runs in the seventh to erase a 3-0 deficit. Shawn Chacon pitched the ninth for his second save.
In San Francisco, Barry Bonds hit a three-run homer, the 660th of his career, as the Giants won their home opener 7-5 over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Bonds homer tied him with his godfather Willie Mays for third spot on the all-time list. Only Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714) are ahead of Bonds. Bonds wound up with three hits and four RBI, ending a five-game homerless drought.
In St. Louis, Richard Hidalgo hit a three-run homer and added a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, leading the Houston Astros past the St. Louis Cardinals 10-5.
Criag Biggio had three doubles, scored three runs and drove in another three runs for Houston.
Ricky Stone (1-0) pitched one scoreless inning for the win.
