Braves Return to Their Familiar Role

Now, the real work begins for the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves clinched the NL East to win their record ninth straight division title, beating the New York Mets, 7-1, Tuesday night behind John Burkett’s pitching and Chipper Jones’ home run.

“We’ve got to start preparing for the playoffs,” Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox said.

“We’ve got to start reading the scouting reports and start getting ready.”

After the final out, the Braves shook hands on the field, keeping the high-fives to a minimum. The only sign this victory meant more came when Atlanta relievers ran out of the bullpen to join their teammates.

Inside the clubhouse, however, the Braves sprayed champagne and put on T-shirts proclaiming themselves champions.

“We didn’t want to show anybody up out there,” Cox said. “It’s not the World Series, it’s the playoffs, the division. But you absolutely should celebrate.”

Added 20-game winner Tom Glavine: “Division titles don’t come easy, but it’s still all about winning the World Series.”

With John Rocker back at Shea Stadium--and dodging a beer bottle on the mound--Atlanta prevented the Mets from wrapping up the wild-card spot.

The crowd of 48,270 had little to cheer on a damp, chilly night other than Edgardo Alfonzo’s home run. The fans started booing the home team during a sloppy seventh inning.

“There is disappointment, but you still realize there’s a very good chance of your going to the playoffs, and it’s the same playoffs,” Met third baseman Robin Ventura said. “It’s not like they go to a different tournament.”

Rocker drew loud jeers when he sprinted out of the Braves bullpen to relieve in the eighth.

A beer bottle landed about 10 feet from him as he prepared to warm up, and police quickly appeared to have the man who threw it in custody in the first-base box seats.

Rocker retired Ventura on a routine fly to end the inning, looked at the crowd without emotion as he walked off and smiled for his teammates in the dugout. Rocker finished up in the ninth.

“I don’t have anything to say,” Rocker said.

According to baseball’s new math in the wild-card era, here’s why the Braves clinched: At 94-63 with five games left, the Braves are assured of at least a tie with the Mets (89-68).

If they finish even and both are in the playoffs, the division winner is determined by head-to-head record. Atlanta is 7-4 against New York with only two games left.