Kawakami finally wins, Braves beat Tigers 4-3
By CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) -- Chipper Jones' three-run homer in the seventh gave Kenshin Kawakami his long-awaited first win of the season, but only after the Atlanta Braves escaped a ninth-inning jam to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3 on Saturday.
Kawakami needed Jones' help to avoid the first 0-10 start in Braves history. The right-hander trailed 1-0 when he left for a pinch-hitter in the seventh.
Jones' homer off Joel Zumaya (2-1) later in the inning landed about 10 rows deep in the center-field seats and drove in Gregor Blanco and Melky Cabrera, who walked.
Kawakami (1-9), perhaps pitching to protect his spot in the rotation, gave up only two hits and one run in seven innings, his longest start this season. He walked three and struck out six.