Houston, TX – Chipper Jones showed little rust in his 2012 debut on Tuesday, going 2-for-4 with a two-run homer as the Atlanta Braves topped the Houston Astros, 6-4, in the middle tilt of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park.
Jones missed the tail end of spring training and the first four games of the season after surgery on March 26 to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
Tyler Pastornicky cracked a solo homer, Dan Uggla had an RBI double, while Eric Hinske and Freddie Freeman also knocked in runs for the Braves, who picked up their first win of the season and avoided starting 0-5 for the first time since 1988.
Tommy Hanson (1-1) gave up two runs on six hits and three walks while fanning eight in five innings for the win. Hard-throwing closer Craig Kimbrel secured his first save of 2012 despite allowing the first two runners to reach base in the ninth.
Carlos Lee went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI, while Chris Johnson and Marwin Gonzalez also knocked in runs for the Astros, who fell to 3-2 on the young season. Jordan Schafer finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored.
Eric Weiland (0-1) took the loss after giving up four runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings.
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