Jones Leads Braves Past Expos

June 28, 1999 / 7:52 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Andruw Jones is getting better results when he doesn't try to hit home runs.

Jones homered twice, including a three-run drive in a five-run first inning Monday night in the Atlanta Braves 13-5 victory over the Montreal Expos.

Jones, 3-for-5, homered in the first off Miguel Batista (6-5) and in the seventh off Anthony Telford, increasing his season total to 14. It was Jones' first multihomer game of the season, and the seventh of his career.

Related Links

Game Summary

Baseball features:

MLB Standings

Complete MLB Schedules

Â"I had some pitches to hit and I just tried to hit them hard somewhere and I got home runs,Â" Jones said. Â"I think when you're really not trying to hit a home run that's when you're going to hit it.Â"

Ryan Klesko went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, and the Braves had 16 hits off six Expos pitchers.

Â"I've been letting loose and feeling more comfortable at the plate this last week or two,Â" Klesko said. Â"It's nice. My job is to hit with runners in scoring position and drive the ball.Â"

Kevin Millwood (9-4), who has the most victories among Braves pitchers, won his the third consecutive start, allowing five runs two earned and seven hits in five innings.

Batista allowed seven runs and seven hits, getting just three outs in his shortest outing this season. Montreal has lost three straight and five of six.

Â"It was one of those nights where you just don't have it,Â" Batista said. Â"I got kicked around, but I've had worse nights.Â"

With Atlanta leading 12-5 after Jones' second homer, Telford hit Randall Simon on the elbow with his second pitch. Simon moved slowly toward the mound, where his path was blocked by catcher Chris Widger as players from both benches converged around home plate. Simon left with a bruised right elbow.

Â"It makes no sense hitting me,Â" Simon said. Â"He threw me the first pitch kind of up in the middle and then he comes way in and hits me after Andruw hit a home run off him.Â"

Brian Jordan had two RBIs, including a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the first. Klesko followed with a run-scoring single before Jones' homer.

Atlanta chased Batsta with consecutive singles leading off the second and increased its lead to 8-1 on Jordan's RBI double and Klesko's two-run double.

Â"We came in and started early,Â" Klesko said. Â"That's something we haven't done a whole lot of this year, jumping on teams early. With the power we have, I was kind of surprised that we haven't done a lot more of that.Â"

Vladimir Guerrero had a run-scoring single in the first and an RBI grounder in the third. Jose Vidro's RBI single in the fourth made it 8-3.

Atlanta made it 11-3 with a three-run fifth off Mel Rojas, getting an RBI single from Klesko and a two-run double by Orlando Cabrera.

Notes: Braves second baseman Brett Boone dropped Cabrera's popup behind first base for an error as he stumbled over the bullpen mound. ... Braves reliever Mike Remlinger struck out the side in the sixth following pinch-hitter James Mouton's leadoff single. ... Expos backup catcher Darron Cox was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left knee sustained while running out a fly in the ninth inning Saturday night. Roberto Machado, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Ottawa, entered the game to catch in the eighth, making his major league debut. ... John Hudek, activated following Sunday's game, pitched the ninth for the Braves. ... With Rondell White eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, Brad Fullmer was optioned to Triple-A Ottawa following the game.