Chicago ? Mark Prior sat in the dugout after he finished pitching and looked around Wrigley Field, taking in the roaring crowd and electric atmosphere.

And that’s when it finally hit him. The phenom who’s already got star billing had lived up to the hype, striking out 10 in his major league debut as the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-4 Wednesday night.

Ballyhooed rookie Mark Prior throws a pitch against the Pirates. In his major league debut, Prior helped pitch the Cubs to a 7-4 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday in Chicago

“It’s definitely an experience I’ll never forget,” Prior said after a celebratory dousing by his teammates. “I don’t think I’ll realize the magnitude of the game probably until the offseason.

“But obviously, it’s something special.”

So, it seems, is Prior. The No. 2 pick in last year’s draft allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, walking two and hitting one batter. His only real blemish was a solo homer by Brian Giles.

Prior became only the 14th Cubs starter since 1920 to win his big league debut something not even Greg Maddux or Kerry Wood accomplished.

“He’s not yet the second coming of Tom Seaver after six innings,” Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon cautioned. “Six innings doesn’t really tell you much other than that he’s got a great arm. Your headlines tomorrow will say otherwise.”

Prior certainly convinced Cubs fans. The crowd of 40,138 at Wrigley Field the largest since opening day cheered his every strike. “K” signs hung from the left-field fence and a rooftop balcony.

As the Cubs shook hands on the field after the game, the fans chanted “Prior! Prior!” He acknowledged them by pumping his fist as he disappeared into the dugout.

“Awesome,” Prior said of his reception. “I’m really glad I got a start at home first, just so I had their support.”

Braves 2, Expos 0

Montreal Tom Glavine pitched a four-hitter for his 22nd career shutout to lead Atlanta over Montreal. Glavine (7-2), whose last complete game was a seven-hit shutout here Sept. 3, lowered his ERA from 1.89 to an NL-leading 1.67.

Phillies 5, Mets 2

Philadelphia Terry Adams pitched six strong innings and Pat Burrell drove in two runs, leading Philadelphia past New York. The Phillies have won three straight after losing six in a row during a road trip. The Mets have lost three consecutive games following a five-game winning streak.

Reds 6, Marlins 2

Cincinnati Todd Walker hit his first career grand slam, Cincinnati’s second in two games, and added a solo homer to lead the Reds past Florida.

Cardinals 3, Astros 2

St. Louis J.D. Drew snapped a 1-for-17 slump with a leadoff homer in the ninth inning off Ricky Stone (2-2) as St. Louis won for the 11th time in 13 games.

Dodgers 1, Brewers 0

Milwaukee Hideo Nomo threw six shutout innings, and Shawn Green tripled home the only run for Los Angeles. Nomo (4-5) allowed four hits, walked three and struck out seven. Omar Daal, Paul Quantrill and Eric Gagne completed the six-hitter. Gagne pitched the ninth for his 15th save in 18 chances.

Rockies 5, Padres 3

Denver Brent Butler and pinch-hitter Jose Ortiz had RBI singles in the eighth inning, lifting Colorado over San Diego. Todd Zeile opened the eighth against reliever Jeremy Fikac (3-3) with a grounder that skipped past third baseman Sean Burroughs for a two-base error.

Giants 12, D’backs 5

Phoenix Barry Bonds hit his 583rd home run, tying Mark McGwire for fifth place on the career list. Bonds, who hit 73 homers last year to break McGwire’s single-season record, lofted a two-run shot off Arizona reliever Eddie Oropesa in the sixth inning for his 16th homer this season one behind Sammy Sosa for the major league lead. David Bell homered twice and drove in three runs for the Giants, the second multihomer game of his career.