Houston 7, Atlanta 0

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) -- Kyle Davies moved a step closer to claiming a spot in the Atlanta Braves' rotation. Jeff Bagwell still isn't sure when he'll be ready to play regularly for the Houston Astros.

Davies threw four strong innings, while Bagwell made it through four innings at first base in Houston's 7-0 victory over the Braves on Friday.

Atlanta manager Bobby Cox raved about Davies' performance. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed six hits, but the only damaging blow was Preston Wilson's homer leading off the fourth.

"That might be the best he's been -- ever," Cox said. "He looked like a 20-game winner."

Bagwell came out of his previous game after only two innings because of pain in his chronically injured right shoulder. He played four this time, but hasn't had to make a throw in three appearances at first this spring.

"I was happy I was able to get out there and get my four innings," Bagwell said. "Last time, I was very sore and there was no need to push myself, and there's still not any need to push myself. But if I can do it, I'll do it."

Bagwell, who went 0-for-2, knows he won't be able to play regularly in the field until he proves that his shoulder has healed enough to make a relay throw or start a double play.

"I don't expect to be able to know whether I can play right now," he said. "It's a little too early. I've got to get through my soreness first. Then I can get a little bit later on and I can see what I can do if I do have to throw."

Bagwell plans to play first again on Saturday, which would be the first time this spring he'll make consecutive starts in the field.

Davies is one of six contenders for a spot in the Braves' rotation. Former 20-game winners Tim Hudson and John Smoltz are locks for the top two positions, and Jorge Sosa -- a surprising 13-3 in 2005 -- almost surely will be another starter. Davies will have to beat out either Horacio Ramirez or John Thomson to be in Atlanta on opening day.

Wilson's homer was the first run Davies has allowed in nine innings this spring. Even so, Cox was impressed, saying the youngster did a good job of changing speeds and keeping the ball down.

"He can't pitch any better than he pitched today," the manager said. "That was a 10."

The same couldn't be said for the Braves' short-handed offense, which managed only eight singles off Fernando Nieve (1-1) and three Houston relievers. The Astros starter went four innings, giving up five hits and striking out four, and Taylor Buchholz earned his first save with three scoreless innings.

Chris Reitsma, the leading candidate to be Atlanta's closer, struck out two in a perfect eighth.

Kevin Orie hit a three-run homer for the Astros in the ninth.