The Braves inaugurated the 2010 season in style, thrashing the Cubs 16-5, before 53,081 fans at Turner Field. It was the most runs the Cubs have ever ceded in a season opener, but the game began on a hopeful note as new centerfielder Marlon Byrd ripped a three-run homer in the top of the first to put the Cubs up 3-0.

Cubs right-handers Carlos Zambrano and Jeff Samardzija were torched like beer league softballers for a combined 12 earned runs in just 1-2/3 innings. Zambrano, who embarked on a much-ballyhooed off-season fitness program, was chased from the game after recording just four outs but refrained from damaging club property or his own body.

Twenty-year-old rookie sensation Jason Heyward crushed a Zambrano sinker that didn’t sink in the bottom of the first inning for a three-run homer on his first swing in the big leagues and the tomahawk chops came out and stayed.

Cubs southpaws Sean Marshall and Jeff Russell were dominant in relief, but the Braves pounded out 10 hits, and drew eight walks against Cubs righties with shortstop Yunel Escobar leading the charge with two hits and five RBIs.