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.