"The Braves were up by 11 runs, there wasn't a save situation within miles of Turner Field, but for the Braves new closer Billy Wagner, running in from the bullpen for the ninth inning on Opening Day was just the adrenaline rush he wanted.

Entering the game to the thundering riffs of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" he got his first ovation from Braves fans at Turner Field. Not that he could hear it.

"I would have if my heart wasn't in my ears," Wagner said after his perfect ninth inning in his Braves debut. "I'm pretty wound up by the time I get out there."

Wagner is 38. He's playing for his fifth major league team. He's saved 385 games, sixth-most in baseball history. And this was his 13th Opening Day introduction. But he knew he'd be nervous pitching the first time for the team he grew up cheering for in the mountain of Virginia.

That's exactly why he wanted to pitch, regardless of the situation.

"Get the butterflies out," Wagner said. "You only have one time to make that first impression. It's a little nerve-wracking to go out there, plus with a 16-5 lead and you don't want to go out there and nibble. You want to be aggressive, but at the same time you don't want to get beat around either."

He struck out two batters, including Aramis Ramirez with a nasty slider. The only Cub to make contact was Marlon Byrd and that was on a harmless pop-up on the infield on a 97 mph fastball."