KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Nate McLouth scored a run to lead off the first inning against his former team, Kenshin Kawakami pitched two scoreless innings in his spring-training debut and the Atlanta Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Thursday.
Kawakami struck out two batters, and Brooks Conrad had two doubles in three at-bats for Atlanta.
Pittsburgh starter Charlie Morton, who was part of the deal that sent McLouth to the Braves last year, allowed one hit and one run in two innings but walked three batters. Reliever Brian Burriss walked four and gave up two runs for the Pirates to take the loss. Pirates pitchers allowed 10 walks.
Andy LaRoche homered for Pittsburgh.
This time last year, McLouth was hoping to avoid another season in last place. This year, he’s poised to be the starting center fielder with serious championship hopes.
McLouth opened the 2009 season with the Pirates but was traded to Atlanta in June for three players and made an impact as the Braves’ everyday center fielder through the second half of the season. He said he felt a complete change in atmosphere in coming to the Braves clubhouse.
“Even now I barely know any of their players,” McLouth said. “Most of the players I was with in spring training last year are gone.”
He also said he got some contact lenses during the offseason and compared his vision at the plate to going to a high-definition television from a standard one.
Braves manager Bobby Cox said he also noticed a difference in McLouth’s vision and predicted a big year for McLouth, who started 151 games for the Pirates in 2008.