Andruw rejoins lineup after sitting out with sore back

ATLANTA - Center fielder Andruw Jones returned to the Atlanta Braves lineup Friday, still bothered by a sore back but feeling much better than he did the previous day.

Jones apparently hurt his back while trying to break up a double play at second base in Wednesday's victory over Florida.

At first, the awkward slide didn't cause any pain.

"When I walked back to the dugout, I didn't know anything was wrong," he said. "But when I got home, I told my wife that I felt like something was wrong with my back."

When Jones woke up Thursday morning, the pain was intense.

"I couldn't walk at all," he said. "I struggled just coming to the clubhouse."

Jones sat out the opener of a four-game series against the Houston Astros, only the second time he hasn't started and the first time he missed an entire game.

But the back was feeling better Friday, and Jones was eager to get back on the field.

"If it's a day off, it's a day off," he said. "But I don't like to sit around watching the game."

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HOT LaROCHE: Adam LaRoche is having fun.

After getting off to a slow start this season, the Braves' sophomore first baseman came alive with seven RBIs over two games - nearly doubling what he managed in his first 23 games.

"I love it," said LaRoche, who came into Friday's game tied with Chipper Jones as the team leader with 17 RBIs. "I love having chances to drive runs in."

LaRoche isn't quite sure what he's done to turn things around, other than being a little more deliberate with his swing.

"I think my head was moving," he said. "I was diving out."

It might have something to do with the playing arrangement, too. LaRoche platoons at first base with 46-year-old Julio Franco, making it more difficult to maintain a consistent swing.

"It's depressing not playing every day, but I can totally live with it right now," LaRoche said. "Especially the way Julio plays, I don't blame them. It is pretty satisfying to come in and get the job done when I get in there."

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BERKMAN RETURNS: The Braves were the first team this season to face Lance Berkman, who was activated by the Astros after missing the first month recovering from knee surgery.

Berkman needed surgery after tearing a ligament in his right knee while playing flag football in November.

Instead of going to his usual spot in the outfield, Berkman played first base for only the eighth time in his seven-year career. He figured that would put less stress on his knee, and the spot was open with Jeff Bagwell sitting out his third straight game because of a shoulder that has bothered him all season.

Burke, hitting.222 with three RBIs, was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock just before the game. The Kentucky native had gotten tickets for a number of friends, including his high school basketball coach.

"There's not a whole lot of comfort in this situation," Burke said. "It's frustrating. Just caught in a tight spot."

Bagwell, who was available for pinch-hitting duty, will have another cortisone shot in his ailing shoulder when the Astros get back to Houston next week. He had a shot just before opening day and must wait six weeks to get another one.

"I hate to see it, but it's where things are right now," manager Phil Garner said. "So we adjust, adapt and overcome."

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EXTRA INNINGS: 2B Marcus Giles came alive against the Astros. He came into the series mired in an 0-for-16 slump, but he went 2-for-3 in Thursday night's game and started off Friday with another hit.... The Braves started the night all alone in first place for the first time since April 12.... Jane Fonda, the ex-wife of former Braves owner Ted Turner, attended the game, one night after the East Coast premiere of her new movie, "Monster-In-Law," at Atlanta's Fox Theatre.