Derek Lowe finished with two RBIs and was effective on the mound in leading the Atlanta Braves to a 6-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday in their interleague series opener.

Lowe (9-5) allowed three runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings. He also drove in two runs on a squeeze bunt back to the pitcher’s mound in the second and added an RBI single in the Braves' three-run fourth that gave them a 5-2 lead.

Chipper Jones also had two RBIs for the Braves, who have won three straight and are now 22-7 at Turner Field.

Billy Wagner allowed a walk, but struck out two in the ninth for his 13th save of the season.

Brian Bannister (6-5) took the loss, allowing five runs and seven hits in four innings. He walked three and struck out two and has now lost consecutive starts after reeling off five straight wins.

Billy Butler hit a solo home run for Kansas City, which has dropped two of three.