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Dunn powers Reds past Cubs in season opener

Apr 2, 2007 - 10:48 PM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Adam Dunn enjoyed a much better start to his season than he did a year ago.

Dunn homered in his first two plate appearances and Aaron Harang worked seven strong innings as the Cincinnati Reds posted a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs in the season opener for both teams.

Thanks to the bat of Dunn and right arm of Harang, the Reds spoiled the debut of new Cubs manager Lou Piniella.

Dunn endured a nightmare in a 16-7 loss to the Cubs in last season's opener, committing two errors in left field and also misplaying a fly ball when he fell. Things were much different this time around.

"I don't even remember last year," said Dunn, who hit 40 homers in 2006. "You couldn't call and order a better day than this."

Dunn slugged a two-run homer off Carlos Zambrano in the bottom of the first inning, then reached the fiery Venezuelan for a solo blast two innings later, his 200th career homer.

The National League leader in strikeouts a year ago, Harang made the early lead stand as he gave up only an unearned run and six hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

"Anytime you get a lead its a huge advantage," said Harang, who threw 75 of 113 pitches for strikes. "You get to throw what you want to throw without worry."

An ace righthander seeking a long-term contract, Zambrano was roughed up for five runs and six hits in five innings. He walked five, struck out two and departed after throwing 92 pitches.

"I was feeling great," Zambrano said. "I wish I could feel this good all year long. Not at any time did I feel frustrated. I made a few mistakes early and paid for them."

The fiery Piniella was quick to point to Zambrano's struggles.

"Zambrano didn't pitch very well," Piniella said. "Of the five runs he gave up three were either a walk or a hit batter."

In addition to Piniella, the contest marked the debut of new Cubs center fielder Alfonso Soriano, who went 1-for-4 in his first game since signing an eight-year, $136 million contract as a free agent.

After Harang worked around a two-out walk in the top of the first, the Reds struck quickly in the bottom of the frame.

Ryan Freel drew a leadoff walk and Dunn followed by depositing 1-2 pitch over the right field wall, giving the Reds a 2-0 lead.

"The main thing was to get to Zambrano early," Dunn said. "Guys like him only get better."

Dunn launched a shot over the center field wall with one out in the third.

"Getting to score on Zambrano early was the best thing about the first home run," Dunn said. "The second gave us a bigger lead and gave me 200 home runs - whatever that means."

The Cubs had their best chance to get back into the game in the fourth after loading the bases with two outs. But Harang got Cesar Izturis to pop out.

"In the middle innings with runners on I just tried to stay aggressive," Harang said. "I tried to make them hit my pitch." Derrek Lee stroked a run-scoring single in the fifth to get the Cubs on the board.

In the bottom of the inning, Scott Hatteberg drew a bases-loaded walk and Alex Gonzalez lofted a sacrifice fly.