Rich Aurilia hit a three-run homer, and the surging Cincinnati Reds took advantage of an inning full of Pirates slapstick for an 11-9 home victory Saturday, extending Pittsburgh's worst start in 32 years.
The Pirates are 0-6 for the first time since 1974. The franchise record for season-opening futility is an 0-8 mark in 1955.
Freddy Sanchez had a two-run single in Pittsburgh's three-run ninth but Rick White got Jose Castillo to ground out with Sanchez on second for his first save since June 23.
Since opening the season with an embarrassing 16-7 loss to the Cubs after President Bush's first pitch, Cincinnati has won four in a row. Aaron Harang (1-1) matched his career high with 10 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
Aurilia broke an 0-for-12 slump with a three-run homer in the second off Oliver Perez (0-1), who had a rare off game against Cincinnati. The left-hander had fanned at least 10 batters in five of his 12 career starts against the Reds, but never looked comfortable in this one.
CUBS 3, CARDINALS 2: At Chicago, Derrek Lee hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth inning to lead the Chicago Cubs to the victory.
Michael Barrett hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the seventh for the Cubs, who couldn't get anything going against NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter. The right-hander struck out nine in six shutout innings, allowing four hits and one walk.
BREWERS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 4: At Milwaukee, Carlos Lee's ninth-inning single led the Brewers to their fifth straight comeback win.
Milwaukee is 5-0 for the first time since 1987 and the third time in franchise history.
GIANTS 12, BRAVES 6: At San Francisco, Omar Vizquel had four hits and five RBIs and Moises Alou hit a two-run homer for the Giants.
The Giants scored eight runs off Tim Hudson (0-1) to help Jamey Wright (1-0) win his San Francisco debut. Alou hit his 299th career homer in the first and Vizquel hit a three-run double in a five-run second against Hudson.
NATIONALS 12, ASTROS 8: At Houston, Jose Vidro hit a three-run homer and drove in five runs and Alfonso Soriano had four RBIs to lead the Nationals.
Houston led 6-3 before the Nationals scored six runs in the seventh inning. Soriano hit a two-out double off Chad Qualls to drive in Marlon Byrd and Nick Johnson and give Washington an 8-6 lead.
ROCKIES 12, PADRES 4: At San Diego, the Rockies continued their Coors Field-like assault on Petco Park, embarrassing Dewon Brazelton in his San Diego debut and beating the Padres.