--RHP Rafael Soriano had not given up a home run to a right-handed hitter since September before he let the Mets' Gary Sheffield tie Wednesday's game in the bottom of the eighth. Until then, the bullpen had allowed only 22 home runs, a ratio of 0.68 homers for every nine innings pitched.
--3B Chipper Jones' first two at-bats Wednesday resulted in doubles, giving him some scarce RBIs. Teams have been pitching around Jones, not giving him much to hit. That could change as LF Garret Anderson heats up. --C David Ross is relegated once again to the backup role with the return of C Brian McCann, but manager Bobby Cox has nothing but admiration for Ross's talents handling a pitching staff and pegs Ross as future major league manager material.
BY THE NUMBERS: 41 -- Times CF Jordan Schafer struck out through the first 30 games of the season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Eventually some good things have got to start happening. We can't be this unlucky this long." -- 3B Chipper Jones, reflecting on the fact that balls just aren't dropping in during the Braves' overall offensive slump.
