Braves Continue to Make Up Ground

Brian Jordan’s three-run home run highlighted a six-run third inning and Greg Maddux gave up two runs in seven innings Monday night as the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 9-4, at Philadelphia in a matchup of the top teams in the National League East.

The Braves, who have won four in a row, closed to 1 1/2 games of the first-place Phillies. Since June 1, the Phillies are 7-14 and have lost seven games off their lead.

Maddux (8-5) didn’t have his best stuff, giving up seven hits and striking out seven with no walks. He won his fourth consecutive decision.

“The runs helped,” Maddux said. “I made a couple good pitches, but the runs definitely helped. You get a big lead and your approach changes. I’ve had better days. My location wasn’t good, but I was effectively wild. When I missed, I missed badly.”

Phillie Manager Larry Bowa snapped when asked about the team’s recent slide.

“It’s June, not July or August. We’ve hit a little lull,” he said. “We have a very young team. This is not a one-year plan. When I took the job, I said we’d improve and we’ll improve. I guarantee it.

“I’m not worried about Atlanta or Florida. I’m worried about John Burkett tomorrow night. That’s all I care about right now. This game is over and they beat us good. Every game is important to me no matter who we play. We can’t look down the road. We’re not in that situation yet.”

Andruw Jones gave the Braves a 2-1 lead in the third on a single that scored Rafael Furcal, who led off with a double. Chipper Jones followed with a walk and Jordan made the score 5-1 with his second three-run homer in two games.

Quilvio Veras added a two-out, two-run single against Omar Daal (8-2).

Chicago 2, New York 1--Robert Machado hit his first home run of the season, topping Todd Zeile’s questionable solo shot in the Cubs’ victory at Chicago.

Julian Tavarez (6-4) gave up one run and three hits in seven innings, and also helped himself with a run-scoring single. He walked three and struck out four.

Tom Gordon pitched the ninth for his 12th save in 15 chances.

Al Leiter (4-6) lost for the third time in four starts, giving up two runs and seven hits in seven innings as the Mets lost their fifth in a row. Leiter also threw three wild pitches in the first three innings--two in the third inning--for the most he’s thrown since Sept. 23, 1995, when he had a career-high four against the Boston Red Sox.

The only blemish on Tavarez’s game was the disputed homer by Zeile.

With the Cubs leading, 1-0, in the seventh, Zeile lined a shot that appeared to hit the top of the screen in front of the bleachers in left field before bouncing back onto the field. According to Wrigley Field ground rules, balls that hit the top or face of the screen and bounce back are in play.

Left fielder Todd Dunwoody grabbed the ball and relayed it in, thinking it was still in play. But it was ruled a home run. Cub Manager Don Baylor protested, but the ruling stood.

San Diego 6, Colorado 4--Ben Davis hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning, helping Kevin Jarvis defeat his former team at Denver.

Todd Walker hit two home runs and two doubles for the Rockies. Larry Walker also homered for Colorado, which has lost seven of eight.

Davis’ seventh homer, against Gabe White (1-5), broke a 3-3 tie and extended the Padres’ winning streak to four games.

Houston 6, Arizona 0--Wade Miller threw seven scoreless innings to earn his ninth victory and lead the Astros at Phoenix.

Lance Berkman and Moises Alou hit consecutive home runs against reliever Erik Sabel in the seventh as the Astros won their third in a row and sixth in eight games.

Montreal 3, Florida 1--Vladimir Guerrero and Rob Ducey hit solo home runs to help Javier Vazquez and the Expos get past the Marlins at Miami.

The victory was the fourth in five games for the Expos, who had lost 11 of their previous 15. The Marlins have lost their last two after winning eight of nine.

Pittsburgh 6, Milwaukee 4--Brian Giles and Aramis Ramirez hit consecutive home runs in the fifth inning and the Pirates, with three homers against Milwaukee starter Allen Levrault, cooled off the Brewers at Pittsburgh.