Braves Defeat Dodgers Again

They believe they should overcome every challenge, outlast every opponent and win every game because that’s baseball the Atlanta Braves’ way.

The manual is updated annually, and the Braves are writing another exciting chapter during a 15-game winning streak that continued Tuesday night in a 5-3 victory over the Dodgers.

The Braves rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the eighth, scoring three runs on Andruw Jones’ two-run single and an error by first baseman Dave Hansen.

Closer John Rocker endured more verbal abuse from a crowd of 30,246 at Dodger Stadium and the booing was loudest when Rocker raced to the mound in the ninth.

Earlier in the game, a fan sitting along the first base line was ejected for tossing ice at Rocker while he ran from the visitors’ bullpen to the dugout after Atlanta batted in the fifth.

But Rocker withstood the barrage and nailed down his seventh save and the Braves’ fifth consecutive victory over the Dodgers when cleanup batter Gary Sheffield flied out to deep center with runners on first and second.

In the process, the Braves extended their franchise-best streak. They have won the most consecutive games in the National League since the then-New York Giants won 16 in a row during the 1951 season.

The Braves can match that mark in the final game of the series tonight, and they’re looking forward to the opportunity.

“This never gets old,” Manager Bobby Cox said. “Every year is a new year, and it’s always exciting to win a ballgame.

“We just have a lot of guys on this team who always find a way to pick each other up. That’s the way it’s always been, and that’s helped us pull of some squeakers [during the streak].”

Tuesday’s victory qualified.

Dodger starter Chan Ho Park limited the Braves to only three hits in 6 2/3 innings. He left with the Dodgers leading, 3-2, despite matching his career high with seven walks for the second time in as many starts.

Terry Adams (2-2) worked out of a two-on jam in the seventh, but couldn’t overcome his problems in the eighth.

He walked Wally Joyner and Bobby Bonilla to open the inning.

Brian Jordan and Walt Weiss ran for Joyner and Bonilla, respectively. Jordan advanced to second on a passed ball, and Jordan went to third and Weiss to second on a wild pitch.

Then Jones delivered the key hit to center on a 2-and-2 count, driving in Jordan and Weiss to give Atlanta a 4-3 lead.

Javy Lopez scored the Braves’ final run, coming in from third on Hansen’s error on reliever Mike Fetters’ pickoff throw.

“This team is all about business,” said Atlanta outfielder Trenidad Hubbard, a valuable Dodger reserve the previous two seasons.

“The thing that’s great about this team is that everyone knows their roles, and everyone is ready when called on.

“If you walk into our clubhouse at any moment, you won’t hear music blasting and see guys messing around. Everyone is just focused on what we have to do against the opposing pitcher that day, how we have to prepare and getting ready mentally as well as physically. It’s a total approach.”

The Dodgers took the lead in the sixth on doubles by Adrian Beltre and Todd Hundley against starter Terry Mulholland. Beltre scored the Dodgers’ third run on Hundley’s ground-rule double to right-center.

Mulholland scattered 10 hits through six innings in the no-decision. He gave up three runs and struck out two while walking one.

Bruce Chen (4-0) relieved Mulholland in the seventh and escaped a none-out, bases-loaded jam to hold the Dodger lead to 3-2. Sheffield bounced into a double play and Hansen struck out looking, then the Braves rallied again in the eighth.

“The thing about this team is the confidence is always there no matter the situation,” Jordan said. “We know we can count on each other. Everyone has an understanding.

“We don’t look at each other when we’re down and wonder if we can do it. Everyone just believes we can. There’s just that feeling that has been built on everything this organization has done.”

* CAT’S BACK: Andres Galarraga’s return from cancer has been a bright spot this season. Page 7