Braves 4, Royals 3
Jason Heyward snapped a tie with a solo home run in the seventh inning as visiting Atlanta defeated Kansas City in the opener of a two-game interleague series.
Heyward also delivered a two-run double in the fifth and Kris Medlen (5-7) pitched seven solid innings for the Braves, who maintained their six-game advantage over the Washington Nationals in the National League East. The Royals have lost five of six contests.
Kansas City’s Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer in the fifth to tie the score before Heyward belted his sixth of the season with one out off Tim Collins (2-2). The Royals loaded the bases in the ninth against Craig Kimbrel, who retired Alcides Escobar on a flyout to right for his 22nd save in 25 opportunities.
Billy Butler hit a first-inning RBI single for Kansas City. Jordan Schafer had a run-scoring double in the fifth for Atlanta and scored on Heyward's two-base hit.
Medlen allowed three runs and seven hits while winning for the fourth time in five decisions. Counterpart Ervin Santana gave up three runs and six hits in six innings.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Atlanta’s Justin Upton (hand) returned from a two-game absence and went 1-for-4 as the designated hitter. … Kansas City optioned RHP Kelvin Herrera to Triple-A Omaha and recalled LHP Will Smith, who pitched a scoreless ninth. … Braves INF Ramiro Pena (shoulder) will get a second opinion on Wednesday, with season-ending surgery looking probable.