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McCann continues hot start as Braves complete series sweep

Apr 6, 2007 - 1:06 AM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- At this rate, Brian McCann is going to be a bargain.

McCann had two RBI for the third consecutive game and Kelly Johnson homered to ignite a six-run fifth inning as the Atlanta Braves cruised to an 8-4 triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies.

It was the third straight victory for the Braves, who are off to their first 3-0 start since 1994 thanks to a series sweep of their division rival.

An All-Star catcher, McCann batted .333 with 24 homers and 93 RBI last season. The Braves rewarded him with a six-year contract reportedly worth $26.8 million during spring training.

Atlanta took the lead for good in the first inning thanks to Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard, who committed a throwing error on a potential inning-ending double play.

Two batters later, McCann ripped a two-run single to make it 2-0. McCann is the only Atlanta hitter to record an RBI in each of the first three games this season.

"That's the game of baseball," McCann said. "You've got to get timely hits. They outhit us, but it's timely hits that score runs."

Johnson's two-run homer in the fifth gave the Braves a 4-1 lead in an inning that saw Atlanta send nine batters to the plate. Andruw Jones roped an RBI double and slugger Jeff Francoeur added a run-scoring hit to chase Phillies starter Adam Eaton, who was pulled after throwing 40 pitches in the inning.

"That's my only hit of the season so far, but at least it got something going," Johnson said.

Edgar Renteria added three hits and Chipper Jones scored twice for Atlanta, which opened the season with a series sweep for the first time since 1995, when it swept two games from San Francisco.

"To come in and beat a team like (the Phillies) three games, it's just awesome," Johnson said. "You couldn't ask for anything better. It's gonna be fun to go home and play the Mets."

Chuck James (1-0) pitched five innings to pick up the win, allowing one run and six hits with one walk and five strikeouts. The lefthander was impressive battling through a game-time temperature of 43 degrees and a winds which reached 25 miles per hour.

"It was definitely not Georgia weather," said James, an Atlanta native. "It was (tough to grip the ball). The first inning, I was actually pretty good. As each inning went on, it was just harder and harder to come in and get warm.

"If I can survive through that and just give up one run in that weather, I'll take it. Even though I was cold, I was hoping those (Phillies) bats were cold."

Four Atlanta relievers combined to work the next 3 2/3 innings, and righthander Rafael Soriano recorded the final out to pick up his first save of the season.

The Braves' bullpen made it interesting in the final inning, as the Phillies scored on two bases-loaded walks to close to within 8-4. But Carlos Ruiz popped out on Soriano's first pitch to end the rally.

Eaton (0-1) labored in his Philadelphia debut, surrendering eight runs and seven hits with four walks and three strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.

Chase Utley had three hits and Pat Burrell added two doubles and an RBI for the Phillies.