MLB: Chicago Cubs 4, Houston 2

HOUSTON, April 6 (UPI) -- Alfonso Soriano homered on the second pitch of the game Monday to start the Chicago Cubs to a 4-2 victory over the Houston Astros.

Carlos Zambrano (1-0) gave up five hits and a run in six-plus innings while tying a franchise record by starting his fifth consecutive season-opener.

Aramis Ramirez led off the second inning with a homer for the Cubs.

Kevin Gregg allowed a run in the ninth inning before earning the save.

Michael Bourn had two hits, including an RBI infield single, for the Astros. Roy Oswalt (0-1) allowed seven hits and three runs over seven innings.

Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada -- who was sentenced in the off-season to one year of probation for lying to congressional investigators about his knowledge of the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball -- had three hits and scored both Houston runs.