By Shannon Russell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

In the inaugural game at Great American Ball Park, it was only fitting that a Cincinnati Red hit its first official home run.

Make that a former Red.

Reggie Sanders' two-run shot to left field was the first of three second-inning homers for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who spoiled Cincinnati's grand opening 10-1 before a sold-out crowd of 42,343.

Sanders drove in Randall Simon, who had doubled to right center off Reds starting pitcher Jimmy Haynes. Sanders connected on the 3-2 pitch and sent the ball about 391 feet into the Reds' bullpen.

"For me, hitting that home run in a new stadium - in front of my old team - was exciting," Sanders said.

Kenny Lofton hit a three-run homer after Sanders, driving in Kris Benson and Pokey Reese. Jason Kendall's solo shot to right center gave Pittsburgh a 6-0 lead after an inning and a half of play.

Reds manager Bob Boone said Opening Day butterflies were "kind of building" in his stomach, but they vanished with Lofton's homer. The Reds never recovered.

Monday marked the first time since July 4, 2000 that Pittsburgh had three home runs in one inning.

Sanders, a Red from 1991-1998, started his Cincinnati career with 12 home runs - the most by a Reds rookie since Gary Redus hit 17 in 1983. Sanders hit 125 of his 219 career home runs with the club.

Sanders was at ease after the game, discussing how he enjoyed being back in the town where he got his major-league start.

His impressions of the new park?

"They did a pretty good job of making it fan-friendly, of making it a hitters' ballpark," he said.

The right fielder signed with Pittsburgh as a free agent Feb. 25 and center fielder Lofton signed as a free agent March 15, beefing up the batting lineup and outfield.

Monday's game was Sanders' first opening-day start with Pittsburgh; it was his sixth different opening-day roster in the last six years.

Former President George Bush joked with Sanders and other Pirates before throwing the ceremonial first pitch.

The players stood along the third-base line.

"He said he was going to hit us because he wanted the Reds to win," Sanders said, laughing.

Sanders' first trip to the plate was met without fan resistance, while former Red Pokey Reese was booed in his at-bats. Sanders said his homer came down to one thing.

"I think it's all about timing," Sanders said. "About being in the right place at the right time."