Don't forget the other Jones

PHILADELPHIA - Entering Monday, Chipper Jones was hitting .359 with four home runs and 11 RBI in a 10-game hit streak, the third-longest active streak in the NL.

But you'd virtually never know it, because of the tear the guy behind him in the order is on.

Atlanta's third baseman smiled as he grumbled Monday afternoon that Andruw Jones' 48th and 49th home runs of the year Sunday were displayed prominently on ESPN - while his game-winning, two-run shot with two out in the ninth at Washington was merely mentioned, not shown.

But Chipper was kidding around; he said he doesn't mind being in the shadow of Andruw's monster year. By the way, the team's center fielder won the NL's Player of the Week honors Monday after five homers and 10 RBI in a 5-1 week for the Braves.

"I couldn't be happier for Andruw," Chipper said. "I know if Andruw wasn't having the type of season he's having, we very well might not be in first place. That's why he's the MVP."

Don't feel too badly for Chipper. He's faring pretty well himself these days.

Since returning to form after the left foot injury that cost him six weeks in the heart of the season, he's hit in 28 of 36 starts and batted .359 with 35 RBI in that stretch that began July 26.

Andruw's success is a key reason why, Chipper said. With opposing pitchers fearing the Braves' cleanup hitter, the team's No. 3 guy is seeing more fastballs.

Like the one Sunday from Chad Cordero on Sunday, which was was deposited into RFK Stadium's mezzanine level in right-center.

"He absolutely killed them in that series," Chipper said of Andruw's four homers in three games in D.C. "If there's one guy you don't want at the plate, it's him. They're going to make me beat them in that situation."

INJURY UPDATES: Other than a lingering headache and some sporadic dizziness, Adam LaRoche said he's feeling OK in the wake of taking a sharp grounder off the side of his face Sunday.

He had to leave the game, but an X-ray and concussion test both came up negative. LaRoche, who would have sat out Monday against Phillies lefty Eude Brito anyway, figures he'll be back in the lineup today.

And he's jokingly hopeful, he said, that the blow to the head will do something to fix his slumping swing. LaRoche's average has fallen from .266 to .243 since Aug. 20.

"Maybe it knocked something loose up there," he said. "I'll take one of them a week if it'll help."

Meanwhile, starter John Smoltz said don't worry about the shoulder tightness that caused him to leave Sunday's game after seven innings and only 74 pitches.

He said he'll continue to monitor the shoulder, especially when he throws his side session Wednesday, but that he doesn't see it getting in the way of his start Friday in New York.

Smoltz said if the Braves get in a position to clinch early, though, he'll slow himself down in anticipation of the postseason.

ON DECK: John Thomson (3-4, 4.60) will face Philadelphia's Gavin Floyd (1-2, 11.25). Thomson is still looking for his first victory (0-2 in five starts) since coming back from an injury to his right middle finger.

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