MILWAUKEE — Third baseman Aramis Ramirez hit two-run double in the fourth, providing plenty of support for Yovani Gallardo, who threw six scoreless innings as the Brewers beat the Braves 2-0 on Monday afternoon at Miller Park.
Gallardo’s franchise-record fifth consecutive Opening Day start was a good one. He limited the Braves to four hits and two walks and improved to 5-1 with a 1.78 ERA in eight career meetings with Atlanta.
But the crowd of 45,691 — the sixth-largest in the history of the 14-year-old ballpark — was its loudest in the second inning, when right fielder Ryan Braun stepped into the box for the first time since accepting a 65-game suspension last July for using PEDs.
Braun went 1-for-4 on the day, lining a broken-bat single into left just ahead of Ramirez’s fourth-inning double.
Braun also added another page to his section in the Brewers’ — and MLB’s — history book when he was called out after a replay challenge, the first at Miller Park.
Braun led off the sixth inning with a single, appearing to just beat out the throw from third baseman Chris Johnson.
Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez challenged first base umpire Mike Gibson’s call and after a 58-second delay, the call was overturned — the first reversal under baseball’s new replay system.
Braves starter Julio Teheran also worked six innings and scattered seven hits and a walk while striking out two in his first career Opening Day start.
Ramirez, catcher Jonathan Lucroy and second baseman Scooter Gennett each collected two hits for Milwaukee, which also got three shutout innings
Atlanta’s bullpen gave the Braves a chance, allowing singles to Lucroy and Gennett over the final two innings but Atlanta managed just one hit against Milwaukee’s relievers and Francisco Rodriguez earned his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.
NOTES: The Braves opened the season in Milwaukee for the first time since 1965, which marked the last season the franchise played in Milwaukee before moving to Atlanta. … Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo’s third-inning strikeout of B.J. Upton gave him 1,082 for his career, moving him past Teddy Higuera for sole possession of second place on the Brewers’ all-time list. … MLB commissioner and former Brewers owner Bud Selig was in attendance Monday, taking part in his final Opening Day. Selig has announced plans to retire at the end of the year.