Trying to put last season behind him, Robin Ventura started this season with a bang. After the Braves rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth against John Franco, Ventura won it in extra innings. After Edgardo Alfonzo flied out, Ventura hit the Ligtenberg's next pitch over the right-field wall. It also was a rare victory for New York at Turner Field, where it had lost 15 of its previous 18 games. It was the first of 19 meetings between the bitter National League East Division rivals.
Every game is different.
I really don't worry about past history here. Javy Lopez hit a solo homer for Atlanta, which opened its season Monday with a 10-4 victory at Cincinnati. The Braves' home opener was delayed by rain for three hours, three minutes at the start. Mets manager Bobby Valentine did not mind the long delay. It was a long and exciting afternoon.