Staff Reports

It may be Chipper Jones’ last season in major league baseball, but he isn’t going out with a whimper.  That’s clear from his last two at bat when he scored two hits, and scored the go ahead run on a wild pitch, as the Atlanta Braves beat the Houston Astros 6-1.

Braves’ manager Freddie Gonzales said, “Chipper is a Hall of Famer.” He went on to say, “He may be the best player I’ve ever seen play the game.”

Jones is batting .320 in his final season.

Despite the win, Atlanta is still three games behind National League East leader Washington.

“They’re a good ballclub,” Jones said of the Nationals. “We’re going to have to go get them. They’re not going to come back to the pack. All you can do is try to hold serve at home. An 8-2 home stand, we’ll take that any day of the week.”

Jonny Venters (4-3) pitched out of a tight spot in the sixth to win in relief of Kris Medlen, who allowed just one run and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Yesterday’s win puts the Braves at 62-46 for the season with currently the third best record in the National League.