Chipper makes rare appearance in two-hole

DENVER -- After Chipper Jones' troublesome left knee reacted well to Thursday's flight to Denver, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez opted to position his veteran third baseman in the second spot of the lineup for Friday night's series opener against the Rockies.

The start in the two-hole marked the first time Jones batted there since a seven-game stint from Sept. 8-16. His customary role as the No. 3 hitter has been recently filled by Freddie Freeman, who is making a strong case to remain in the spot going forward.

"I got kind of misty, I get to bat in the first inning, Jones said as he smiled and looked in Freeman's direction. "I kind of forgot what that feels like."

With Martin Prado given a chance to rest on Friday, Gonzalez also had the option of batting Jason Heyward second. But then each of the first four hitters in his lineup would have been left-handed.