CINCINNATI -Joe Randa provided an encore to his dramatic opening-day homer, hitting a bases-loaded single and a grand slam yesterday night that powered the Cincinnati Reds to a 9-5 victory over the New York Mets.
Randa, who won the opener with a ninth-inning solo shot, got the Reds going with a two-run single in the first off Tom Glavine. He got the fans chanting his name after his second career grand slam in the eighth off Mike DeJean, a shot off the batter's eye in center field.
The third baseman from Kansas City joked before the game that no one recognized him when he went out in public after he hit the first game-ending homer in Reds' opening day history Monday.
They know him now. The 22,301 fans demanded a curtain call and chanted his name after his slam.
Ken Griffey Jr. also singled off Glavine with the bases loaded, one of his three hits.
The Reds won the first two games of the series by getting past three-time Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez and two-time winner Glavine -a feat the Mets certainly did not expect.
First-year manager Willie Randolph had a large cigar waiting on his desk before yesterday's game, a gift from Mike Piazza in anticipation of his first win. Randolph picked it up and briefly stuck it between his lips without lighting up.
I'm going to use it tonight for sure
Randolph said, laying it back on his desk. Hopefully I'll light it up later. That would be nice.
Again, no cigar.
Glavine is 25-12 against the Reds, his second-highest victory total against any team. Control problems and two borderline calls led to a rare Cincinnati meltdown -five runs in only 3 2-3 innings.
The left-hander threw 37 pitches in the first inning, helping the Reds load the bases with two outs. He got ahead of Randa 0-2 in the count, then jerked his head in disappointment when plate umpire Chuck Meriwether called the next pitch just off the inside corner.
Given a reprieve, Randa singled to left on the next pitch for a 2-0 lead. 17
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