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Jones returns to Atlanta for first time

Apr 18, 2008 - 2:03 PM LA Dodgers (7-8) at Atlanta (6-9) 7:30 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) - The Atlanta Braves waved good bye to Andruw Jones this offseason. Now he'll experience the feeling of being a visitor in the town he called home for the first 12 years of his career.

Jones returns to Atlanta for the first time since signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason as the teams open a three-game series on Friday night.

Jones, who made five All-Star appearances and collected 10 Gold Gloves during his time in Atlanta, compiled 368 home runs and 1,117 RBI in 12 seasons with the team - ranking fifth in franchise history in both categories.

However, he batted just .222 - his worst mark since his rookie season - and hit 26 homers - his lowest total since 1999. Those marks made him expendable, allowing the power hitting-hungry Dodgers to pursue and sign him to a two-year, $36.2 million deal.

Unfortunately for Los Angeles, this season has seen Jones only continue to struggle, as he is batting just .157 (8-for-51) with no home runs and two RBI.

Jones will look to end his worst homer drought to start a season against Jeff Bennett (0-0, 5.52 ERA), who has alternated between the bullpen and the rotation early this season.

The righthander has allowed runs in five of his seven appearances - one start - including Wednesday's one-inning relief effort in which he permitted two runs and three hits in a 6-5 loss against Florida.

He'll likely have to be much sharper against Derek Lowe (1-0, 1.80), who has been the Dodgers' best pitcher so far. The veteran sinkerballer allowed just one run and four hits over eight innings in an 11-1 win on Saturday vs. San Diego.