As a matter of fact, manager Bobby Cox has seen a hitter as hot as third baseman Chipper Jones is this year -- George Brett.

Cox watched Brett for 11 straight games in 1976 for George Steinbrenner, helping the Yankees in their playoff preparations.

"He was the best I ever saw for 11 straight games," Cox recalls. "George (Brett, not Steinbrenner) never missed the ball. Everything was hit hard. The only thing I could tell the Yankees was, play him to left-center and hope he hits the ball at somebody.

"And that's how you would have to explain Chipper Jones right now. Just hope your defense is where the ball's hit. He's that good. He's tracking the ball as good as I've ever seen.

"You're talking about a guy that was second in the league in hitting last year. It's not a fluke."

Further historical perspective: With 61 hits and 11 home runs in the Braves' first 39 games, Jones was only the fourth National League player since 1960 with 60 or more hits and at least 10 home runs in fewer than 40 games into the season. That puts him in company with Billy Williams (1964 Cubs), Lou Brock (1967 Cardinals) and Larry Walker (1997 Rockies).

Jones sat out the Braves' 40th game, Thursday in Philadelphia, with a groin strain that's mild -- and he wants to keep it that way.

Back in the lineup against the A's at Turner Field Friday night, Jones went 2-for-3 with a walk, his 20th multi-hit game of the season. That leads the National League.

BRAVES 3, A'S 2: Center fielder Mark Kotsay beat his former team with his 19th RBI of the season, a two-out double in the eighth inning. Right-hander Jair Jurrjens, working on short rest -- which he said made his arm feel too strong -- piled up 97 pitches in only five innings, but neither of the two runs scored was earned, thanks to his own throwing error.

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