--C Brian McCann returned from the disabled list to solidify the lineup; he drove in the Braves' first two runs. McCann batted fifth in his return, because he has missed so many games, and because LF Garret Anderson, hitting fourth, has more speed.
--C David Ross will relegated to a backup role now that C Brian McCann is off the disabled list, but that doesn't make him any less valuable to manager Bobby Cox, who calls Ross "one of our best acquisitions." He can throw out runners and he can hit better than most backups. --RHP Kenshin Kawakami says he is still getting accustomed to pitching in the major leagues and obviously is unfamiliar with the hitters he's facing. He thinks he's nibbling too much trying to be too perfect, which is why he ran up 113 pitches in only five innings Tuesday against the Mets.
BY THE NUMBERS: 1.04 -- Bullpen ERA in 11 games from April 19-May 1. Through the first 11 games of the season, the relievers' ERA was 7.75.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I hate being on the DL. I just feel like I'm not here." -- C Brian McCann, who is on the 15-day disabled list while he tries to eliminate blurry vision with new eyeglasses and a hockey-style catcher's mask that accommodates them.
