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  Friday, Mar. 3 1:05pm ET
Atlanta 7, Kansas City 3
 
  RECAP

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) _ Andres Galarraga, hardly looking like he missed an entire season, had two hits and two RBIs as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Kansas City Royals 7-3 Friday.

Galarraga started his second exhibition game in a row after sitting out last season while undergoing successful treatment for cancer in his lower back.

The Big Cat lined a two-out single to right in the first inning, driving in the Braves' first run. He came through again in the third, singling to left to give the Braves a 4-0 lead.

``I told myself when I got my first hit of the spring, I would be ready,'' said Galarraga, who played first and batted fifth for the first three innings. ``I got two hits, so I guess I'm ready.''

He batted .305 with 44 homers and 121 RBIs for the Braves two years ago, but no one was sure how his 38-year-old body would react after undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.

Even Galarraga had his doubts.

``I've surprised myself, too,'' he said. ``Maybe it just comes natural, or maybe I'm lucky. But everything seems to be there.''

Kevin Millwood, an 18-game winner a year ago, pitched two scoreless innings for the win in Atlanta's first spring game against a big league opponent. The Braves defeated the University of Georgia 11-3 Thursday.

George Lombard, fighting for a spot on the Atlanta bench, hit a homer in the fifth after the Royals scored three runs in the fourth against Jimmy Osting. Former Brave Jermaine Dye drove in a run and Joe Randa added a two-run single.

Kansas City starter Jay Witasick took the loss, surrendering three hits and one earned run in two innings.

Notes: John Rocker threw in the Atlanta bullpen before the game but isn't expected to pitch for at least another week. Most of the media horde that was on hand for Rocker's arrival Thursday has departed, returning an air of normality to the Braves clubhouse. ... The Royals had a rough day in the field, making three errors that led to a pair of unearned runs.

 


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