NL ROUNDUP : Jones, Braves Complete Sweep

If the New York Mets were casting ballots, Chipper Jones would probably be a unanimous MVP.

Almost single-handedly, the Atlanta Brave third baseman powered a sweep of the Mets, hitting four home runs in three games to turn the National League East showdown into a rout.

Jones finished off his remarkable hitting display Thursday with a three-run shot in the Braves’ 6-3 victory at Atlanta.

“There’s still some games left, but he’s the MVP right now,” Greg Maddux said. “Look at what that guy has done down the stretch. To me, that carries more weight than the first three months of the season.”

Maddux (19-8) will get no argument from the Mets, who came to Atlanta only one game back in the East but departed with a four-game deficit and nine to play.

“They sure did the job they needed to give themselves some room. At least Chipper did,” Met Manager Bobby Valentine said.

Jones hit a pair of solo homers Tuesday night, accounting for both Atlanta runs in a 2-1 victory, and added a two-run shot in Wednesday’s 5-2 victory.

“It was one of those dream series,” Jones said. “It’s almost like the ball is hitting my bat. I don’t think I’m doing anything different, but it seems like the ball keeps hitting my sweet spot.”

Chicago 8, Pittsburgh 5--Sammy Sosa went without a homer for a fourth consecutive game but had an RBI single at Chicago.

Florida 2, Montreal 1--Rookie A.J. Burnett won his second consecutive start for the Marlins at Miami.

Milwaukee 11, Philadelphia 6--Ron Belliard homered and drove in four runs and Jeromy Burnitz drew four walks and scored each time for the Brewers at Milwaukee.