Phillies Near Death in Pennant Race

The Phillies are on a near mission impossible in their three game series against the Reds after losing 6-2 to the Braves Thursday night in Atlanta.

They are now three games out of first with only three games to play. Just to tie the Braves the Phillies have to win three straight and Atlanta has to lose three straight. Chipper Jones had only one thought when he came to the plate with two runners on base in the first inning. "Just don't hit into a double play," he said. Jones sparked a three-run inning with a two-run double in a three-run inning and Brian Jordan added a two-run homer in the seventh as the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 Thursday night to clinch a tie for the NL East title.

The Braves, seeking a 10th consecutive division championship, lead the Phillies by three games with three left _ all at home against Florida. The Phillies close the regular season with three games at Cincinnati.

"The Braves did what they had to do," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "They don't have all those banners up there for nothing. We're on a respirator right now."

Jones, who had only one RBI in his previous 15 games, followed a leadoff walk by Marcus Giles and single by Julio Franco in the first with a two-run double off rookie Brandon Duckworth (3-2).

"It was a chance to get some momentum early with a big hit," Jones said. "It was big for the ballclub, but bigger for me from a confidence standpoint. I hadn't gotten a big hit like that in a long time."

Jones hit over .400 in Atlanta's last 17 games but in that span had only four plate appearances with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-1 with three walks. "In that situation, with nobody out, they have to pitch to you," he said. "It's a situation I like to be in."

B.J. Surhoff added an RBI single for a 3-1 lead, enough for John Burkett (12-12) and four Braves relievers.

Atlanta added a run in the second on Giles' RBI single and Jordan homered off Rheal Cormier. Jordan, who has three homers and 10 RBIs in the past six games, struck out in the second after Jones was intentionally walked. "I knew he was mad after that at bat," said Jones. "He thrives on those situations."

After the homer, Jordan threw his fist in the air as he crossed home plate, then did it again as fans roared until he gave a curtain call. "I was just happy to get another opportunity," Jordan said. "I was frustrated not coming through when they walked Chipper."

Philadelphia scored in the first inning on a double by Bobby Abreu and RBI bloop single by Scott Rolen. Philadelphia added a run in the sixth on Abreu's run-scoring double.

Burkett, who had gone 0-4 in his last five starts with a 6.41 ERA, allowed six hits and two runs in 5 2-3 innings. Duckworth gave up six hits and four runs in 4 1-3 innings.

"We have to count on the Marlins," he said. "I don't think anybody is going to be satisfied with second place."

Atlanta won the season series over the Phillies 10-9. The Braves have a 38-40 home record and must win all three of their remaining games to avoid a losing record at home.

Notes:
Jones needs three RBIs for his sixth straight season of 100 or more RBIs. ... Bako, who is the Braves' starting catcher with Javy Lopez sidelined since Sunday with a left ankle sprain extended his hitting streak to five games with a second-inning double.

Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News