The Braves played well in spring training even without the bats of 3B Chipper Jones and C Brian McCann, who were away from camp for three weeks as part of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. 

The Braves used the opportunity of their home opener to wipe out the memory of that seventh-inning meltdown in Philadelphia on Wednesday. 

--SS Yunel Escobar gained 25 pounds of muscle by working out in the off-season, going from 190 to 215. 

The Braves used the opportunity of their home opener to wipe out the memory of that seventh-inning meltdown in Philadelphia on Wednesday. 

--SS Yunel Escobar gained 25 pounds of muscle by working out in the off-season, going from 190 to 215. 

It wasn't just that he hit a home run off Brett Myers his first time up in 2009, though it was, Jeff Francoeur concedes, really nice. 

A week after Kenshin Kawakami issued a career-worst seven walks in 2 2/3 innings of an exhibition game at Turner Field, theBraves' first Japanese-born player makes his official major league debut on the same mound tonight against the Nationals. 

His bruised left hand was still black and blue around the thumb, butBraves third baseman Chipper Jones said it was good enough for him to play in the home opener Friday against Washington. 

Kenshin Kawakami is set to become the first Japanese player to take the field for the Atlanta Braves. 

Kelly Johnson decided six hours was long enough for the Atlanta Braves' home opener. 

Kelly Johnson decided six hours was long enough for the Atlanta Braves' home opener. 

With all the bailouts being handed out in this country, it seems only fitting for the Phillies to get in on some of the charity. 

* When (TV); where: 7:35 p. 

Philadelphia --- Some pitchers would consider two opening-night starts in six days a bit much on the stress meter. 

The Braves played well in spring training even without the bats of 3B Chipper Jones and C Brian McCann, who were away from camp for three weeks as part of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.