(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) Cubs manager Dusty Baker is in the fourth and final year of his contract, and whether or not he survives with the Cubs beyond 2006, there is no denying that he left lasting first impressions in his four Opening Days.

The first three years he was 3-0 on Opening Day, and the Cubs outscored their opponents 38-12.

The hits just kept on coming on Monday, as Chicago scored five runs in the first inning and rolled to a 16-7 victory over Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park.

Second baseman Todd Walker was one of three Cubs with three hits in the 18-hit attack. He also drove in three runs.

But he had a warning for those who are too excited about the onslaught.

"Last year we won big (16-6) and lost the next two games to Arizona," he said. "So this year we have to keep the momentum going."

REPLAY: Todd Walker won the starting second baseman's job and celebrated with three hits -- including two doubles -- and three RBIs in the Cubs' 16-7 victory over Cincinnati in the season opener.

Walker won the job over Jerry Hairston and Neifi Perez, and even though the other two are considered better defensive players, his presence in the No. 2 hole should make for a smooth transition between leadoff hitter Juan Pierre and the heart of the order featuring Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez.

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NOTES

 --RHP Carlos Zambrano prided himself on the fact that he walked just four batters in 19 innings of Cactus League action for the Cubs this spring. But he walked five batters in 4 2/3 innings Monday, which helped the Reds score five runs off him in a no-decision. Zambrano blew a 5-0 lead.

--LF Matt Murton showed two things last year. He has some power and is able to get some lucky hits as well. Murton displayed both abilities in Monday's season opener against Cincinnati. He hit a three-run homer in the first inning and beat out an infield hit in the sixth inning when the ball was cued between the pitcher and third baseman.

--1B Derrek Lee and the Cubs are "inching closer" to a contract extension, according to general manager Jim Hendry. Lee had hoped something would get done before Opening Day on Monday, but it appears the negotiations will spill into the season. Lee had said he would consider letting it go into the season for a short amount of time if the two sides were close and making progress.

--2B Todd Walker, who was given the starting job at second base over Jerry Hairston Jr. and Neifi Perez, is considered to have less range on defense than the other two candidates. It's possible Walker will play six or seven innings in games and be replaced, but manager Dusty Baker said he is not thinking about that at this point.

--SS Ronny Cedeno, 23, was the youngest starter in the Cubs' Opening Day lineup. With 24-year-old Matt Murton starting in left field and 24-year-old Carlos Zambrano as the starting pitcher, the Cubs had one of their youngest Opening Day lineups since 1977, averaging 28.08 years.

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