--3B Chipper Jones missed his fifth consecutive start due to a sore right quad. However, the leg had improved a bit, to the point where it was only hurting him when he stretched. Jones struck out as a pinch hitter.
--SS Yunel Escobar had to be scratched from the lineup after he couldn't swing without pain in his left shoulder during batting practice. He jammed the shoulder diving back into first base in the fourth inning Tuesday night. --INF Omar Infante had to leave Wednesday's game after straining his right hamstring as he rounded first base in the second inning. He is day-to-day. Rookie INF Brent Lillibridge played at short in Infante's place.
--RHP Blaine Boyer's inning of work gives him 42 appearances, which leads all major league relievers.
--C Brian McCann usually gets day games after night games off, but he started Wednesday. The Braves need his offense in the lineup, particularly with 3B Chipper Jones out, and they will be off Thursday to travel to Toronto.
--LHP Mike Hampton (strained left pectoral muscle) made his second scoreless appearance for the Braves' rookie-level Gulf Coast League team. He tossed 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and no walks. He struck out two. Hampton fired three shutout innings for the same team on June 21.
BY THE NUMBERS: 32 -- Consecutive save opportunities Mike Gonzalez has converted, the longest streak in the majors, according to Elias Sports Bureau. He has not blown a save since June 25, 2004, when he was a middle reliever in just his 30th career game.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We can peck away. By All-Star break, we want to get closer than we are right now, so we need to win." -- Manager Bobby Cox.
