ATLANTA (AP) — Eric Hinske’s two-run double broke an eighth-inning tie and Chipper Jones had three RBIs to help the Atlanta Braves win their fifth straight game, 8-5 over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
Melky Cabrera added an RBI single in the eighth off Blake Wood (0-1) for the Braves, who improved to 24-7 at home. Atlanta moved 212 games ahead of the second-place New York Mets in the NL East.
Craig Kimbrel (2-0) earned the win by pitching a scoreless eighth, but it wasn’t easy. The right-hander loaded the bases on two walks and his own fielding error before striking out two and escaping the jam on Billy Butler’s popup.
Billy Wagner struck out two in a scoreless ninth for his 14th save in 16 chances.