Mets sweep pair from Braves

ATLANTA — Steven Matz pitched seven impressive innings in his season debut, Jay Bruce hit a three-run homer and the New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 8-1 Saturday night to sweep a doubleheader.

Yoenis Cespedes made a smashing return in the first game, hitting a grand slam to celebrate his return to the lineup following a six-week stint on the disabled list. The Mets won the opener 6-1.

Matz (1-0), appearing in a big league game for first time since last Aug. 14, gave up five hits, one run and one walk. The left-hander struck out two, holding the Braves scoreless until the seventh.

Matz had a bone spur surgically removed from his left elbow last October and began the season on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. The oft-injured former phenom hardly looked rusty, cruising through the first five innings before escaping trouble in the sixth when Matt Kemp flied out with two runners on.

Wilmer Flores got four hits, and went a combined 6 for 9 in the two games.

New York, which didn't trail all day, went up 3-0 in the fifth on Bruce's 16th homer. Pinch-hitter T.J. Rivera had a two-run homer in the eighth and pinch-hitter Juan Lagares added a two-run single in the ninth.

The Braves have lost 15 of 20 games to the Mets in Atlanta.

Matt Wilser (0-1) gave up six hits, four runs and three walks in six innings. He struck out seven in making his first start of the season.

Cespedes, back from a strained left hamstring, said he still can't run at 100 percent, but he didn't need to run fast after connecting against Luke Jackson in the ninth inning of the first game.

The slugging outfielder sent a drive over the left-center field wall and was able to trot slowly enough to soak in the moment and smile at his cheering teammates. He went 2 for 5, including his seventh home run of the season.

Robert Gsellman (5-3) won his third straight start. He gave up three hits, two walks and struck out four in 6 2/3 scoreless innings.

Sean Newcomb (0-1) lost in his major league debut despite allowing just one unearned run and four hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked two.