AJ Reed's 3-run homer helps Astros beat Braves 5-3

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) Williams Perez threw three scoreless innings and Nick Swisher drove in a run, but the Houston Astros topped the Atlanta Braves behind a three-run home run by A.J. Reed for a 5-3 split-squad win on Thursday.

''Perez threw the ball well,'' Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ''Over three innings, we got him stretched out and liked what we saw.''

Houston's Danny Worth hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning during a 2-for-4 afternoon and also scored on Reed's homer.

Astros starter Mike Fiers was knocked for four hits, and an error by second baseman Nolan Fontana allowed both Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson to score in the third.

Swisher drover in Michael Bourn in the first on an RBI single. Francoeur and Johnson were a combined 2-for-6 with two walks at the plate.

Braves reliever Manny Banuelos also pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks and striking out two in his second appearance this spring.

''Manny, he makes his pitches well,'' Gonzalez said. ''He's got good command on the fast and curveball. (He and Perez) both pitched well.''

In the top of the sixth, Matt Tuiasosopo made a leaping catch at the left-field wall to rob Worth of his second home run of the game.

GRILLI GLAD TO BE BACK

Braves closer Jason Grilli pitched Thursday in his first live action since rupturing his left Achilles on July 11 against the Colorado Rockies and requiring season-ending surgery.

Grilli pitched one inning, allowing one hit, Worth's two-run homer. The 39-year-old righty also issued a walk to Luis Valbuena and got Colby Rasmus and Reed to fly out and Eury Perez to ground out.

''(It felt good) getting in some live-game action,'' Grilli said. ''There's a few adjustments I still need to make, but to be out there after just eight months, I know, confidently, I can be ready (for the season).''

Before the injury, Grilli converted 24 of 26 save opportunities and had a 2.94 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 33 2-3 innings. Grilli said despite Thursday being just a split squad exhibition game, he was excited to return to the mound.

''I'm an adrenaline guy,'' he said. ''I had to calm myself and slow myself. (I got) ahead of the first hitter and was amped up just to punch the ticket. So things now are just fine-tuning. It's like being a radio station dial, being on either side of it and dialing it in so you get a clear sound, that's how, I can honestly say, how I feel.''

''His Achilles is, obviously, healthy,'' Gonzalez added. ''He just hung a breaking ball out there, but I was pleased with his performance. Just getting him out there and pitching for us was a plus and his velocity was really good - impressive, because that's not an easy injury to come back from.''

Grilli said he felt no discomfort during his return and added he will now pitch every couple of days.

''(I was) geeked up for a spring training game,'' he said, ''but I was just looking to throw strikes, make sure things work and do it consistently.''

ROSTER MOVES

Astros: C Alfredo Gonzalez was optioned to minor league camp and RHP Jordan Jankowski was reassigned to minor league camp.

STARTING TIME

Braves: Perez pitched an effective three innings, throwing just 43 pitches, 27 for strikes. He allowed one walk and struck out two. At the plate, he struck out swinging in his lone at bat in the second.

Astros: Fiers pitched three innings allowing two earned runs - his first runs allowed this spring - because of the error by Fontana. He also gave up three walks and struck out two.

UP NEXT

Braves: RHP Matt Wisler will make his third start of the spring vs. Miami in Kissimmee on Friday. The Marlins will send RHP Tom Koehler to the mound.

Astros: RHP Doug Fister will make his fourth start of the spring vs. Toronto in Dunedin on Friday. The Blue Jays are scheduled to send RHP Aaron Sanchez to the mound.