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Jones, Braves continue series with Diamondbacks

Aug 9, 2008 - 10:14 AM Atlanta (54-62) at Arizona (59-57), 8:10 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Braves have spiraled out of playoff contention, but getting Chipper Jones back into the lineup immediately gave them a winning feel.

In the National League batting leader's return from the 15-day disabled list, the Braves defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday and hope to follow suit on Saturday.

After missing over two weeks with a hamstring injury, Jones went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer to boost his average to .371 for the Braves, who scored in double digits for the 10th time this season in their 11-6 triumph.

After hitting .400 with 16 homers and 45 RBI in his first 66 games, he has hit .264 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 23 games since June 19 - including a lowly .231 over his past 12 games.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jones said the DL stint was crucial not just for his left hamstring, but to allow his right quadriceps to heal fully. He partially tore the muscle in late June and attempted to play through the injury, which hampered him all throughout July.

The rejuvenated Braves lineup will look to support Jair Jurrjens (10-7, 3.12 ERA), who has dropped three of his last four starts.

The 22-year-old rookie has impressed this season, though, and has held opponents to three runs or less in seven of his previous 10 outings.

Dan Haren (12-5, 2.75) has done plenty of eye-opening as well and looks to win his fifth consecutive start. Prior to his last start in which he surrendered four runs in six innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, the righthander had given up two runs or less in eight of his last nine outings.

The Diamondbacks have lost three in a row for the first time since June 24-27 and stand a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers (58-57) for first place in the NL West.