CINCINNATI - One series into the season, the defending NL Central champions are on the wrong side of the break-even line.

The Cubs are looking up at .500.

Sean Casey had three hits and drove in three runs Thursday, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-3 victory that left Chicago in an unfamiliar neighborhood.

For the first time since last July, the Cubs have a losing record. They dropped two of three to the Reds, momentarily quieting all of their talk about reaching the World Series.

''We know we're expected to win,'' said Matt Clement, who took the loss. ''There are many examples of teams in baseball history that were loaded and didn't win.''

The opening series was a sobering reminder that offseason upgrades don't necessarily translate into instant results.

After the Cubs fell a season-low one game under three times last July, they got on a roll and won their first division title in 14 years and came within five outs of reaching the World Series.

They strengthened their rotation and their everyday lineup in the offseason, stamping themselves as top contenders. In that context, the opening series was a disappointment.

''We would have loved to come in here and win two of three or sweep,'' said Clement, who had control problems and lasted only four innings.

Instead, the Reds were buoyed by their early climb to unusual heights. They have a winning record for the first time since June 19, their last bright moment before they imploded in a 93-loss season.

''I think at some point last year we had a winning record, but last year was a long year and I'm just trying to forget it,'' Casey said.

The Reds moved into Great American Ball Park last season and got swept by Pittsburgh in their opening series, setting the tone for a long year. They've slashed their payroll by $14 million - it's even smaller than in their last season at Cinergy Field - and were in need of a pick-me-up.

They got it.

''It's very important,'' said Danny Graves, who saved both wins. ''I can't remember the last time we got off to a good start. Even with our good ballclubs, we never got off to a good start.''

The Cubs dropped the last two games because they couldn't put a rally together. Sammy Sosa broke out of an 0-for-9 slump by hitting a two-run homer and a pair of doubles, but no one else did much against Jose Acevedo (1-0) and four relievers.

''It's just a matter of time,'' Sosa said confidently. ''We'll be all right.''

The Cubs could console themselves with a bit of recent history. They also played at Great American in the opening week last season - they followed the Pirates to town after their sweep - and lost two of three.

One early series doesn't mean much in the big picture. Still, it didn't feel very good.

''I'm not thrilled or happy with what happened,'' Clement said.

Notes: Sosa's homer left him one behind Ernie Banks' 512 for the franchise record. Sosa has 540 overall, 10th on the career list behind Mike Schmidt at 548. … 2B Mark Grudzielanek had a pinch single. He went 6-for-10 in the series. … Ken Griffey Jr. had a pair of singles for the Reds, leaving him 3-for-8 with a homer in two games. He had to sit out the opener with a sore calf and ran the bases slowly as a precaution.