CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Chris Heisey did a lot of standing around before he got his chance to snap Cincinnatis historic slump. Heiseys pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth inning ended the Reds longest scoreless streak to open a season and sent Cincinnati to a 1-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night following a long rain delay. The Reds set a modern franchise record by failing to score in the first 17 innings of the season. Their previous worst was 13 scoreless innings in 1909 and 1934. It got broken by a player making only his second at-bat of the season. "Theres nothing like it," Heisey said. "Sit around 10 hours, then get one at-bat. Thats part of being a pinch-hitter." Ryan Ludwick and Todd Frazier opened the ninth with singles off Carlos Martinez (0-1). After a sacrifice, Brayan Pena was walked to load the bases and Heisey singled to centre. "Hits have been at premium these past two days," Heisey said. "Its nice to play close games early and get the blood pumping." The Reds were the last team in the majors to score a run this season. Heiseys hit broke an 0-for-11 slump with runners in scoring position and gave Bryan Price his first win as the Reds manager. "It feels great from a selfish standpoint," Price said. "From a team standpoint, its even better. It was important to get that first win and get the ball rolling." J.J. Hoover (1-0) pitched out of a threat in the ninth, getting Matt Adams on a called third strike with two runners aboard. "It all comes down to the big hit," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "When youre having trouble getting many of them, you just need the right one at the right time. They put it together when they had to." The NL Central rivals waited 2 hours, 40 minutes to get started. They wanted to get the game in because heavy rain was forecast for Thursday afternoon when they conclude their series. The Reds promoted it as opening night, complete with pregame player introductions and postgame fireworks. The introductions were cancelled because of the long delay, and the fireworks were shot off as the grounds crew removed the tarp and prepared the field for the first pitch. Neither starter had a problem because of the delay. Left-hander Tony Cingrani gave up a pair of singles and two walks in seven innings. He spent the off-season working on his secondary pitches. Last year, he threw his fastball 81.7 per cent of the time, the second-most by a starter in the majors, according to STATS LLC. Michael Wacha allowed three hits in 6 2-3 innings. He got shortstop Zack Cozart to ground into a forceout with the bases loaded in the fourth. Cozart saved a run with a diving catch in centre field in the eighth, grabbing Matt Carpenters sinking liner with a runner in scoring position. The defending National League champions opened the season with a 1-0 win on Monday, when Yadier Molinas seventh-inning homer made the difference. It was the first time since 1953 that the Reds were shut out on opening day. Its the first time in Great American Ball Parks 12-year history that theres been back-to-back 1-0 games. St. Louis hasnt started a season with back-to-back shutouts since 1963, when the Cardinals posted three consecutive shutouts. NOTES: RH Lance Lynn starts for the Cardinals on Thursday. He beat the Reds three times last season. RHP Homer Bailey, who missed time during spring training with a strained groin, starts for the Reds. ... Cardinals OF Jon Jay carries a 14-game hitting streak from last season. ... Joey Votto doubled in the first inning for his 1,000th career hit. ... Cingrani picked Adams off first base in the fifth inning. He led the Reds staff by picking off six runners last season. ... Reds manager Bryan Price said RH Jonathan Broxton could come off the DL during the series in St. Louis next week. Hes recovering from surgery on his pitching forearm last August. Broxton would become the closer until Chapman returns. ... C Devin Mesoraco also could be activated off the DL in St. Louis. Hes sidelined by a strained oblique. Ronnie Lott 49ers Jersey . Hes even holding a bat on one of his 2014 baseball cards. So far, hes playing like his picture. Y.A. Tittle 49ers Jersey . The Maple Leafs handed their embattled head coach a two-year contract extension on Thursday, while at the same time announcing that assistants Dave Farrish, Greg Cronin and Scott Gordon will not be back. http://www.thesf49ersshoponline.com/Youth-Mike-McGlinchey-49ers-Jersey/ . - The Oakland Athletics say they are stopping negotiations to extend their lease at the Coliseum. Steve Young Youth Jersey . If Vettel wins at Suzuka on Sunday, and his nearest rival Fernando Alonso finishes worse than eighth, the German driver will join his compatriot Michael Schumacher and Argentine Juan-Manuel Fangio as the only men to win four consecutive titles. Dwight Clark Womens Jersey . -- Two nights after losing to the Eastern Conferences worst team, the Phoenix Coyotes handled the best.MALMO - Head coach Brent Sutter has made it official: Jake Paterson will start for Canada when it opens the World Junior Hockey Championship on Thursday against Germany. Goalie consultant Fred Brathwaite delivered the news to the Saginaw Spirit goalie on the ice at the start of Wednesdays practice at the Malmo Isstadion. "Obviously Im really excited to get the call," Paterson said after the up-tempo workout. "Im ready to get focused and looking forward to the game." The 19-year-old served as Canadas third-string goalie at last years event in Ufa, Russia, but did not get in a game. He was also a backup and didnt play for Team Ontario at the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. On Tuesday, Sutter noted that he sensed Paterson was ready for the chance to finally take the net in international competition. "He feels like this is his time," the coach said. Paterson agrees. "I think so," he said when informed of Sutters assessment. "Its been a pretty long year from last year not just not being able to play, but having a sour taste in our mouth from a fourth-place finish so Im definitely looking forward to getting things going tomorrow." ZZach Fucale will serve as the backup despite playing well in his pre-tournament start against Finland on Friday.dddddddddddd The Halifax Mooseheads goalie has slightly better numbers than Paterson this season and is coming off a Memorial Cup win in May, but remained upbeat despite Sutters decision. "Even though I wont be playing I think Ill be still important," Fucale, who is a year younger than Paterson, said. "I mean, I have to make sure Im positive for the guys and always be ready. You can never know in these tournaments what can happen. Jake is playing really well, very sharp and were all happy. All I have to do is make sure Im ready and Im ready to accept that." In his two previous world junior stints behind Canadas bench, Sutter has opted to ride one goalie most of the way giving the backup just one start in 12 games. "Lets see how Game 1 goes," Sutter said when asked if Fucale would get a start at some point. "I really dont know. You got to assume when youre playing a lot of games in a short period of time that you need both goalies, but were going to start with Patty and then well make a determination wholl play in Game 2." ' ' '