ATLANTA - Phil Gosselin had a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth inning, Cameron Maybin homered and the Atlanta Braves won their home opener with a 5-3 victory over the sloppy New York Mets on Friday night.
Atlanta recovered after starting pitcher Eric Stults blew a three-run lead in a game delayed more than an hour by rain at the start.
The Braves, despite a major roster overhaul that pointed to a rebuilding year in Atlanta, are 4-0 to begin the season for the first time since they were 7-0 in 1994.
Chris Johnson led off the eighth with a double off Rafael Montero (0-1), the fourth New York pitcher, and was replaced by pinch-runner Jace Peterson.
As third baseman David Wright charged toward the infield grass to pick up Andrelton Simmons' grounder, Peterson was able to run behind Wright, avoid his tag attempt and safely reach third.
Simmons made it to second when nobody covered the bag, and both runners scored on Gosselin's single to make it 5-3.
Jim Johnson (1-0) gave up one hit and struck out the side in the eighth.
Jason Grilli earned his third save.
Montero, who got the last out of the seventh and was chased by Gosselin's hit, allowed two hits, two runs, one walk and struck out three in one inning.
Mets shortstop Wilmer made two throwing errors that helped Atlanta jump out to a 3-0 lead.
The Braves took a 2-0 lead in the first when Maybin homered on Niese's second pitch of the game and Nick Markakis reached on shortstop Wilmer Flores' first throwing error and scored from second on Jonny Gomes' RBI single.
Atlanta added on in the third. Jonny Gomes walked, advanced to third on Chris Johnson's double and scored when Flores bobbled Christian Bethancourt's grounder and made a wild throw to first that pulled Michael Cuddyer off the bag.
Braves starter Eric Stults blew the lead in the top of the fourth. Wright hit a two-run homer and Mayberry homered to make it 3-all.
Stults allowed seven hits, three runs, one walk and struck out three in five innings.
Mets starter Jonathon Niese gave up seven hits, two walks and three runs - one earned - and struck out two in five innings.