Braves set record, win 23rd straight Medlen start

The Braves have gone more than two years without losing a game started by Kris Medlen. If they can still say the same a month from now, Chipper Jones' final season might indeed have a magical conclusion.

Medlen extended a record-setting run of perfection and helped the Braves celebrate Jones' final regular-season home game with a 6-2 win over the Mets in front of 50,635 emotionally charged fans at Turner Field on Sunday afternoon.

Braves set record, win 23rd straight Medlen start

Braves Clinch Wild Card Playoff Berth

Braves AJC Celebration Slideshow

Braves blast Phils on way to playoffs

After essentially having their way with the Phillies during the season's first five months, the Braves encountered some struggles this month. But with 10 games remaining this season, they are hoping that they have finally delivered a decisive blow to their division rival's postseason hopes.

Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward led the barrage that forced Roy Halladay to make one of the earliest exits of his career and watch helplessly as the Braves completed their 8-2 win over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday afternoon.

This victory combined with the Brewers' loss to the Nationals allowed the Braves to reduce their magic number to clinch a playoff berth to three. They remain positioned at the top of the National League Wild Card standings with a six-game lead over the second-place Cardinals.

Braves take big step toward playoffs, hurt Phils

McCann's 10th-inning sac fly keeps Braves hot

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has not completely altered his approach to managing a game. But the manner in which he has utilized closer Craig Kimbrel over the past few days proves he is willing to try some unconventional approaches in an attempt to make sure this season ends much more pleasant than the last.

Gonzalez found himself breathing a sigh of relief on Sunday afternoon after Brian McCann's sacrifice fly provided the Braves a lead that Peter Moylan would not relinquish in a 3-2, 10-inning win over the Mets.

McCann's 10th-inning sac fly keeps Braves hot

Hudson leads Braves as they get closer to Nationals

The Braves desperately needed someone to fill in the gap left by Brandon Beachy once he went on the DL for the rest of the year, and Tim Hudson has done exactly that for the team to this point in the season.

On August 26 Hudson went seven strong innings while giving up only one run on five hits to go along with three strikeouts as well, and he pitched about as well as one could expect out of him.

Hudson was able to keep the ball down throughout the entire night with velocity in the low-90s, and as a result induced more than a dozen ground balls for the game.

Hudson dominates as Braves inch closer to Nationals

Chipper Jones not the oldest of the Braves anymore

Chipper Jones and his surgically repaired knees were out of the Braves lineup Saturday at San Francisco, the second game he missed through the first six on a 10-game trip that began in Washington.

“Just old,” said Jones, 40, as he suited up for the 1:05 p.m. game, the third in a four-game series against the Giants.

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Atlanta Braves blog by David O'Brien

Late moves, better batting can make Braves a contender

Some late roster additions and emerging bats have the Atlanta Braves looking like a contender again this year, though most experts are picking them third or fourth in the NL East race. Despite the lack of huge offseason moves, GM Frank Wren has quietly assembled a strong all-around squad with player health again likely to be the only obstacle between the Braves and the playoffs.

Late Moves, Energized Bats Have Braves Looking Like a Contender Again