Braves third baseman Chipper Jones’ homer was his first since Aug. 29 and 17th of the season, and he still needs three more in the last 12 games to break a record he shares with former Braves great Eddie Mathews.
They are the only major leaguers to begin careers with 14 consecutive seasons of at least 20 homers.
The Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez needs one home run for his 15th consecutive season with at least 20. But he hit 17 homers in 91 games as a rookie in 1994, then began his streak with 31 homers in 1995. Ramirez has hit more than 30 homers twelve times in his career.
Jones has had six seasons of 30 or more homers, the last in 2004.
With his double Sunday against Philadelphia and his home run Monday, the slumping third baseman equaled his total of two extra-base during his previous 31 games.
No skipping Hanson
Braves manager Bobby Cox said rookie pitcher Tommy Hanson would make his scheduled start Saturday at Washington and not have his turn skipped or pushed back. The manager said last week that the Braves would closely monitor their prized youngster’s innings and possibly skip one of his turns.
Hanson made his regular turn Sunday and only pitched five innings before a lengthy rain delay forced him from the game.
“And he’s getting five days’ rest,” Cox said of Hanson’s next start, with would come after an extra day of rest because of the Braves’ off-day Thursday between series against the Mets and Nationals.
LaRoche back in lineup
Adam LaRoche returned to the lineup Monday after missing a start Sunday due to a stiff back.
“He came in today and said, ‘Put me in,’ ” said manager Bobby Cox, who did just that for the series opener against Misch.
The left-handed-hitting first baseman was 3-for-3 with a homer against Misch before Monday, when he struck out and grounded out in two at-bats against the Mets lefty.
LaRoche was 14-for-28 with three homers and 11 RBIs in his past eight games before Monday.
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