Jones jolts New York, again

ATLANTA - This year's National League Most Valuable Player might be hitting fourth in the Braves' lineup. The race is over, actually, if you ask his teammates.

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But don't forget about a certain former MVP that bats one spot higher in the order. If the New York Mets had - because of injuries, they hadn't seen Chipper Jones since May - they remember him now.

Jones the Mets killer reacquainted himself with the boys from Queens on Monday afternoon, hitting a two-run homer in the eighth that pushed Atlanta to a 4-2 win at Turner Field.

"He seems to always be the one to drop the hammer," New York third baseman David Wright said of Jones, who finished 2-for-4 with three RBI.

He also doubled in the first to drive in the Braves' first run. The other run came on Andruw Jones' major league-leading 45th home run, a gargantuan shot to left-center measured at 452 feet, the longest hit by a Brave in Turner Field history.

It tied Chipper for second on the franchise's list for homers in a season. He's now two behind Hank Aaron's 1971 mark of 47 with 25 games remaining in the regular season.

"I think he's a landslide winner, to be honest with you," Chipper said of Andruw's MVP candidacy. "He's going to have 125-130 RBI, he's going to hit 50 home runs."

By no coincidence, the Braves are 42-6 when the Joneses homer in the same game.

Chipper's performance Monday had some parties on both sides reminiscing about his own MVP run in 1999.

"He looks as good as I've ever seen him since I've been here," said second baseman Marcus Giles. "He's just got that confidence right now."

In September 1999, Jones went 7-for-18 with four homers and nine RBI against the Mets.

"Do you like beating the Mets, in particular?" one reporter asked Chipper after the game.

"I like beating everybody," he said, grinning, refusing to single out the team and fanbase that just loves to loathe Larry.

Rookie right fielder Jeff Francoeur had another outfield assist, throwing out Victor Diaz who tried to score from third in the seventh.

"After I threw it, I knew," Francoeur said.

The phenom, in the heart of the rookie of the year race, has 11 outfield assists - tied for the NL lead.

"No, he doesn't amaze me. I expect it now," manager Bobby Cox said. "You expect him to throw them out, and that's what he's done. Defense is huge."

So, it seems, is having a Jones or two on your side.

Reach Travis Haney at travis.haney@morris.com.