TOUGH OPENER FOR METS, BOSOX

Tom Glavine was roughed up in his debut for the Mets, who took it on the chin, losing the home opener to the Cubs 15-3.

The Red Sox got a good outing from Pedro Martinez, but their bullpen lost the lead in the 9th, as Carl Crawford hit a dramatic, game-ending 3-run homer off Chad Fox to win Lou Pinella's first game as manager of the Devil Rays.

While the alarm is sure to sound in Boston, Pedro remained calm:

''It's only the first game,'' he said. ''That's all I can say to the Boston fans. Please keep the faith because we're going to battle hard tomorrow and hopefully we'll win some games and be OK by the time we get home.''

Ed Cossette, who runs Bambino's Curse, didn't panic either, though I'm sure his digestion took a hit last night.