CINCINNATI — No threats, no frets. That new Mets bullpen sure looked good the first time out.

Francisco Rodriguez and his fellow relievers protected a slim lead for Johan Santana, and New York held on yesterday for a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in their season opener.

Daniel Murphy drove in both Mets runs with a homer and a groundout. And on a raw, cold afternoon, New York's rebuilt bullpen was nearly perfect.

"Phew, that was unbelievable!" Murphy said. "Lights out!"

The Mets are known for their meltdowns the past two seasons, blowing division leads in September. They tried to fix their biggest problem — the balky bullpen — by signing Rodriguez and trading for J.J. Putz at the winter meetings, bringing in two All-Star pitchers with a history of success closing games.

After Santana (1-0) gave up only three hits in 5 2/3 innings, the bullpen allowed one walk the rest of the way.

No one enjoyed watching it more than Santana, who hasn't lost a game since June 28 but could have more wins along the way. The left-hander saw the bullpen blow five of his leads in the ninth inning last year.

This time, Sean Green, Putz and Rodriguez squashed Cincinnati's lineup, allowing only two balls out of the infield in the final 3 1/3 innings. Putz walked a batter in the eighth, and Rodriguez — who had a major league-record 62 saves for the Angels last season — was perfect in the ninth.

"They deserve all the credit," Santana said. "It's great for us, and it was big for getting the comfort level up."

After striking out Ramon Hernandez to finish it, Rodriguez looked up at the sky and raised both arms in his familiar celebration.

"That's what they expect from us all year long," said Rodriguez, who got a three-year, $37 million deal from New York. "This game, the bullpen did a tremendous job."

The Mets' Murphy hit a solo homer in the fifth off Aaron Harang. Murphy also drove in another run with a groundout in the sixth.

DIAMONDBACKS 9, ROCKIES 8:

Tony Clark and Arizona newcomer Felipe Lopez each homered from both sides of the plate, and the host Diamondbacks outslugged Colorado. Eight home runs were hit in the game, including the decisive shot by Chad Tracy leading off the seventh against reliever Jason Grilli (0-1). Lopez and Clark became the first switch-hitting teammates to homer from both sides of the plate in a game since Jorge Posada and Bernie Williams did it for the New York Yankees on April 23, 2000. It had never been done on opening day.

CUBS 4, ASTROS 2:

Carlos Zambrano pitched into the seventh inning for his first opening-day win in five chances, leading visiting Chicago over Roy Oswalt and Houston. Zambrano (1-0) allowed one run and five hits over six-plus innings in his first start against the Astros since his no-hitter Sept. 14 in Milwaukee. That game was played at Miller Park after Hurricane Ike damaged the Houston area. Alfonso Soriano hit his 50th career leadoff home run and Aramis Ramirez also went deep against Oswalt.

PIRATES 6, CARDINALS 4:

With the Pirates down to their last strike, Jack Wilson hit a three-run double to cap a four-run ninth inning off rookie closer Jason Motte, leading visiting Pittsburgh over St. Louis. Freddy Sanchez led off the ninth with a double against Motte (0-1). Adam LaRoche singled in a run with two outs, pinch-hitter Eric Hinske doubled LaRoche to third, Brandon Moss was hit by a pitch and Wilson doubled to left-center on an 0-2 fastball.

DODGERS 4, PADRES 1:

Hiroki Kuroda outpitched Padres ace Jake Peavy, leading the defending NL West champions past host San Diego without a hit from Manny Ramirez. The enigmatic slugger went 0 for 3 with a walk. Kuroda (1-0) allowed one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. Peavy allowed four runs in seven innings. James Loney had three hits, including a two-run single for the Dodgers.

MARLINS 12, NATIONALS 6:

Emilio Bonifacio hit the majors' first inside-the-park homer on opening day since 1968 and went 4 for 5 against his former team. Host Florida also hit three homers over the fence, including Hanley Ramirez's grand slam. Bonifacio's homer came in the fourth. The last inside-the-park home run on opening day was by Boston's Carl Yastrzemski on April 10, 1968.