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MILWAUKEE -- Ryan Braun stepped into the batters box, admittedly a bit anxious. The sellout crowd at Miller Park quickly put him at ease, showering him with a standing ovation. First day back on the job after a drug suspension was already a day to remember for the Brewers slugger. Then he added another unique footnote to his career. Braun went 1 for 4 and stole a base that helped set up a two-run inning, and later was ruled out in the first call overturned under baseballs expanded replay system as Milwaukee beat the Atlanta Braves 2-0 on Monday in a season opener. The former MVP was returning from suspension for the final 65 games last year in the Biogenesis doping scandal. Played his first game as a right fielder, too. What a way to start the season. "It was special. It was an emotional moment for me," Braun said. Braun said the ovation affected him. He flied out to left. "Swung at some pitches that I typically dont swing at, but its something that Im very thankful for and very appreciative," Braun said. Among the 45,691 people in attendance was Commissioner Bud Selig. Two years ago, Braun became the first MLB player to get a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs overturned. Originally banned for 50 games, he filed a grievance and won. "Fans are fans. Thats the way its supposed to be. Hes their hometown player and it was a wonderful reaction. I wish everybody well," Selig said. Later, Braun had his infield single to lead off the sixth overturned to out after the call was challenged by Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez under Major League Baseballs new replay format. The review took 58 seconds. "I had a pretty good idea that I was out," Braun said, drawing laughs. "For all of us, we just hope they get it right, and they did get it right." Yovani Gallardo (1-0) tossed six shutout innings for the win. He allowed just four hits in becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to make five straight opening day starts. A Braves lineup being relied on to help overcome the adversity to the injury-plagued pitching staff was silenced. Andrelton Simmons finished with two hits. "You go up there, your third at-bat and (Gallardo) will throw you something completely different," said cleanup hitter Chris Johnson, who went 1 for 4 with a double. "Where did that come from? ... Hes one of the tougher guys in the league." In a bit of a surprise, Francisco Rodriguez struck out two in the ninth for his 305th career save. The veteran righty looked fine about two weeks after accidentally stepping on a cactus during spring training. Manager Ron Roenicke said he turned to Rodriguez because Jim Henderson, who had 28 saves last season, was having a little trouble of late with his stuff. He hoped a couple outings outside the ninth would help Henderson get straightened out. With injuries to pitchers including Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy, Atlanta started Julio Teheran (0-1) after a nice spring. He allowed seven hits in six innings. "For his first start, for his first opening day, I thought he did a terrific job," Gonzalez said. But all eyes in Miller Park were on Braun to start after the 2011 NL MVP played his first game since July 21. He was banned the next day. It seemed like all was forgiven for most in attendance. Brauns hit and steal set up a two-run double by Aramis Ramirez in the fourth. "Its special, we all know what he went through last year," Ramirez said. "For the fans to do that, it was very special." Braun and Ramirez also missed time last season because of injuries. With their third- and fourth-place hitters back, the Brewers like their chances with an offence that also features the speedy Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura at the top of the order. If the rest of the starting rotation throws like Gallardo, Milwaukee could challenge St. Louis, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh in the NL Central. NOTES: A trio of Wisconsin-born Olympians from the 2014 Winter Games in Russia threw out the ceremonial first pitches: Brianna Decker and Jessica Vetter were each members of the U.S. womens hockey team that won silver, while Matt Antoine won the bronze in the skeleton competition. ... Injured RHP Gavin Floyd and LHP Mike Minor are on the same rehab program in the minors for the Braves. Both are scheduled to throw Thursday and then go every fifth day barring any setbacks. The Braves plan to shuffle them between Triple-A Gwinnett and Double-A Mississippi. ... With four strikeouts, Gallardo assumed sole possession of second place on the teams career strikeout list with 1,084. Ben Sheets is first with 1,206 strikeouts. Jeff Bagwell Jersey .com) - New England Patriots starting center Bryan Stork will not play in Sundays AFC Championship against Indianapolis due to a knee injury the rookie sustained last week. Alex Bregman Astros Jersey . But that changed when he committed a five-minute major penalty and helped pave the way for a comeback by the Philadelphia Flyers. Vincent Lecavalier scored at 2:45 of overtime and the Flyers rallied from a two-goal deficit for a 5-4 victory on Sunday. http://www.baseballastrosproshop.com/nol...-astros-jersey/. - The Oakland Athletics say they are stopping negotiations to extend their lease at the Coliseum. George Springer Jersey . McCutchen hit his first home run in over a month, doubled twice and scored two runs to help the Pirates beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 on Sunday and take three of four from the defending NL West champions. Andy Pettitte Astros Jersey . Make the extra pass, take care of the ball, play defence and get more out of his bench.Ahead of Thursdays Premier League Play-off night, live on Sky Sports 2, Rod Studd remembers when Michael van Gerwen faced Phil Taylor in the 2013 final. Van Gerwen lines up against Adrian Lewis in the opening match of this weeks Play-Off night, while Taylor takes on defending champion Gary Anderson in the other semi-final at The O2, live on Sky Sports 2.The Premier Leagues top two players could meet again in the final, just a week after Van Gerwens win in Rotterdam, and Studd recalls a thrilling final encounter between the pair... Taylor v Van Gerwen, 2013 Premier League final at The O2I think the 2013 final between Van Gerwen and Taylor was probably the most defining darts match of the Premier League era.The reason I say that is because Phil had clung onto his title that year by beating Van Gerwen, but Michael was hot on his heels, so they were clearly the big two players. During Van Gerwens first ever season in the Premier League, they had drawn in their first match and then he defeated Taylor later in the competition. Here they were, the big two, and it was for the heavyweight darts championship of the world at that time. Rod Studd Here they were, the big two, and it was for the heavyweight darts championship of the world at that time. The winner could claim he was the best player. There was that little between them and there was little separating them on the scoreboard as well.Taylor made a brilliant start, hitting a 13-darter, a 14-darter, and led 5-2. But he missed doubles crucially in legs nine and 10, allowing Van Gerwen to pounce and get back to 5-5. Michael then made it five legs on the trot to go 7-5 in front, again with The Power missing darts at doubles. Phil Taylor had a message for Michael van Gerwen after their Premier League draw on night seven of 20116 season Phil trimmed it back to 7-6 and the match appeared to be turning in his favour in the 14th leg when Van Gerwen decided not to go for the bullseye, leaving Taylor a shot at 160, which he duly took out.ddddddddddddayne Mardle was on commentary and memorably said: You shouldnt play mind games with the master!Van Gerwen shrugged it off quite quickly, going 9-7 up, but there was a further twist in the 17th leg when he missed two darts at double eight for the title and Taylor hit double top, last dart in hand, to make it 9-8. Michael van Gerwen won his only Premier League title after a thrilling final with Phil Taylor in 2013 Taylor had the darts in the 18th leg, which had he held throw, would have gone into a last-leg decider. He played a brilliant leg, leaving double top again after 12 darts.It felt like Taylor was about to prove he was still the old master, but Van Gerwen completed a fantastic 132 finish.Still three years on, that lives long in the memory of Michael van Gerwen. Not because its a roof-raising finish, but due to the significance, the circumstance of the match and who he was playing. Van Gerwen celebrates with Premier League trophy You would be a brave man to say it will definitely be Van Gerwen and Taylor again in Thursdays final, because whatever combination we get - were guaranteed three brilliant matches at The O2.Watch the Premier League Darts play-offs from The O2 Arena tonight at 7pm, Sky Sports 2. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Also See: Mardles PL Darts prediction Sky Live: PL Darts play-offs Darts stars hidden helpers Adams: MVG showed early talent ' ' '