SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Bobby Cox called across the field during Monday's batting practice and congratulated Expos pitcher Livan Hernandez on being named to the National League All-Star team.
Two days later, the 6-foot-2, 245-pound right-hander looked like anything but one of the league's elite pitchers.
Hernandez went to great lengths to make NL skipper Jack McKeon regret his decision Wednesday night, failing to record an out in the third inning of the Braves' ridiculously easy 14-2 win before 8,534 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, dropping his record to 0-3 against Atlanta this year and 2-11 in 16 career games against the Braves.
In sweeping three games from the Expos, while remaining perfect (6-0) in two years of island ball, the Braves raised their winning streak to a season-high four games and moved two games over .500 (43-41) for the first time since April 27, matching their high-water mark for the season.
The numbers don't lie. Faced with the challenge of meeting the yin (Phillies) and yang (Expos) of the NL East on this trip, the Braves took care of their Caribbean business, outscoring the Expos 26-6 in preparation for this weekend's showdown in the City of Brotherly Love.
For what should be a dwindling number of skeptics, the Braves are one of the league's hottest teams, winners of seven of eight and 10 of 12.
The offense has thrived despite the continued absence of second baseman Marcus Giles, who is slated to start a rehab assignment with Class A Rome on Friday night, and the struggles at the plate of Chipper Jones, who was just 2-for-10 in the three games.
The Braves unloaded a season-high six home runs and 17 hits on Hernandez and the Expos' bullpen, including two long balls by Andruw Jones and one apiece by J.D. Drew, Charles Thomas, Rafael Furcal and Adam LaRoche.
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