ATLANTA (AP) -- Andres Galarraga and the Atlanta Braves could not have come up with a better script.

Galarraga, out last season because of a cancerous tumor in his back, made a triumphant return by hitting a go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning Monday that led the Braves to a season-opening 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

	Greg Maddux improved to 6-0 in Opening Day starts, allowing five hits in 7 2/3 innings and fanning six.

"I'm really excited. It's like a movie," said Galarraga. "It's something really special. There are no words to say how happy I am."

Galarraga's homer helped Greg Maddux improve to 6-0 on Opening Day.

"It was perfect," Maddux said. "`But it's kind of corny. You say it's not going to happen and it does. It's sort of cool."

Maddux, 9-2 against Colorado, allowed five hits in 7 2/3 innings, struck out six and walked two -- both intentionally.

With John Rocker starting his 14-day suspension, Mike Remlinger pitched 1 1/3 innings for his fourth career save. Rocker, penalized by commissioner Bud Selig for derogatory remarks against gays, foreigners and minorities, was introduced during pregame ceremonies, when the Braves received their NL championship rings, and was cheered.

Atlanta had just two hits off Astacio in the first six innings. Galarraga, then connected on a 1-0 pitch against his former team, and the 38-year-old first baseman jogged around the bases as the crowd of 42,255 stood and cheered.

The cheering got louder and louder as Galarraga made his way to the dugout and continued until he reappeared and doffed his cap to the crowd, about 8,000 below capacity.

"I feel really good. I feel really comfortable," Galarraga said. "I'm hoping to contribute all year."

Galarraga drew his first standing ovation when the team was announced in pregame ceremonies, then drew another when he led off the second inning. He reached on that at-bat when he was hit by a pitch on the right hand on a 2-2 count. The crowd booed.

Galarraga finished 1-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts and showed he hadn't lost any of his defensive prowess.

He leaped high to catch a liner off the bat of Todd Helton in the seventh, then made a diving stop near the line of Astacio's one-hop smash with two outs in the inning after the Rockies had loaded the bases. That grab saved at least two runs.

"It was a great thing," Maddux said. "First he makes the great play to save two or three runs and then he hits a home run to win the game."

Maddux had his most trouble in the seventh. Jeffrey Hammonds lined a two-out grounder off the pitcher's right foot and the ball caromed into left field for a double. Neifi Perez then followed with an infield hit off Galarraga's glove and Bret Mayne was walked intentionally to load the bases, setting up Galarraga's diving stop of Astacio's ball.

He went out and got the first two outs in the eighth, then signaled manager Bobby Cox that he had enough.

"It was supposed to rain from the third inning on, and I was pitching like it was the last inning from that point on," Maddux said. "I just burned out. I had it. I had nothing left."

Astacio allowed six hits in 7 1/3 innings, dropping to 2-12 against Atlanta.

"Galarraga had a great game, both offensively and defensively. He definitely made the play of the game in the seventh," said Colorado manager Buddy Bell, who made his Rockies debut. "You've got to be happy for him. I wish the outcome had been different, but in his case, he's got to be feeling good. Unfortunately, it was at our expense.

Game notes
Galarraga, Eddie Perez and former Brave Ozzie Guillen simultaneously threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game. The three Venezuelan natives were honored for their efforts in raising money for their homeland which was devastated by winter flooding. ... The Braves have never been rained out at Turner Field, which opened at the start of the 1997 season. ... The Braves are 14-21 in season openers, but have won seven of nine since moving to Atlanta in 1966 (8-8 home, 6-13 road). The Rockies, in their eighth season, are 4-4, (3-3 road, 1-1 home). ... Colorado's opening-day roster included only six players from 1999's opener: Astacio, LHP Brian Bohanon, INFs Helton, Mike Lansing and Neifi Perez and OF Larry Walker.