--RF Jeff Francoeur did not start the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader, ending his streak of consecutive games started at 370, the longest streak in the majors. The streak began in Oct. 1, 2005. Francoeur had said he did not need to start every game simply to keep the streak going, and with the doubleheader and with Francoeur's sore right ankle -- an old football injury -- manager Bobby Cox gave OF Gregor Blanco the start in right.

--RHP John Smoltz concluded an indoor bullpen session by saying there will be no more daily updates on his shoulder because some media have mischaracterized his recent comments about his progress to make it sound as though he had had a setback. He has said all along that he is working to find a balance between how much discomfort he can pitch with to be effective without making his inflammation worse.

--SS Yunel Escobar had to be helped off the field at the end of the second game after his right knee collided with Mets RF Ryan Church's head on the final play. He was too angry to talk afterward, but seemed to be muttering, "No DL, no DL."

--CF Mark Kotsay got the second game of the doubleheader off but came in during a double switch, then delivered the knockout blow with a two-run home run in the eighth inning.

--RHP Rafael Soriano will pitch rehab games Wednesday and Friday for Class AA Mississippi, deciding after all that bullpen sessions can be too easy to throw and that he needs to face more competitive hitters.

BY THE NUMBERS
111 -- Number of the Braves' first 500 runners of the season who have been driven home.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"We're not bad here. We stink on the road. Plain and simple." -- 3B Chipper Jones, on the Braves' horrendous road record.

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