(My Sportsbook) - It was only a couple of weeks ago that the Atlanta Braves were caught in a log jam at the top of the National League East with the Montreal Expos and Philadelphia Phillies. Now thanks to 12 wins in the last 14 games, the resurgent Braves have managed to put a couple of games between themselves and the rest of the pack.

On Tuesday, Andruw Jones belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Braves to a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies in the first of a three-game set at Turner Field.

Robert Fick finished with two hits for the Braves, who have won eight of nine and 17 of their last 20 games.

Mike Hampton turned in a solid start for Atlanta, allowing just three hits in seven shutout innings, but was left with a no decision. Roberto Hernandez posted the victory despite yielding two runs in one inning of relief.

Shane Reynolds is scheduled to make his fifth start of the season tonight for the Braves. In his last outing, Thursday at Houston, he didn't get a decision in an 8-7 win. Reynolds allowed eight hits and five runs in 5 1/3 innings in that game. He is 6-3 lifetime against Colorado in 12 contests.

As a team the Braves have the second-highest batting average in the NL at .280 and even though they have struck out just 186 times through 32 contests, third fewest in the league, the team is also far down on the list in terms of bases- on-balls with just 108.

The Atlanta pitching staff has managed to regain some respectability after a rough start to the 2003 campaign, lowering its ERA to 4.21 and the bullpen has done its job with an NL-best 13 saves as well, all of those being credited to John Smoltz.

Off the field, Atlanta pitcher Darren Holmes was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right arm. The Braves recalled pitcher Joe Dawley from Triple-A Richmond to fill the roster spot.