Sheffield Leads Braves' Hit Parade in 11-2 Rout of Phils

Gary Sheffield again flexed his muscles on Thursday, and he had plenty of company.

Sheffield homered for the third straight game and Andruw Jones and Chipper Jones also went deep in a seven-run sixth inning to power the Atlanta Braves to an 11-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the rubber game of the season-opening three-game series.

The Braves obtained Sheffield from the Los Angeles Dodgers to provide some extra pop to a lineup that struggled at times last season. Sheffield has paid quick dividends, homering against the Phils on Monday and Wednesday before connecting for a three-run blast in the first off Terry Adams.

	Pat Burrell and Doug Glanville nearly collide on a routine fly out during the first inning of the Phils loss, Thursday night. (AP)

"I've had starts like this before, but I am more prepared this year," said Sheffield, who credited another slugger off to a fast start. "Barry (Bonds) has worked with me a lot and his dad (Bobby) has worked with me on my hitting. I know I am capable of having a great year and putting up big numbers."

Bonds started even faster with four homers in his first two games.

"I was kidding with him today and told him, 'Barry's got you doubled,'" manager Bobby Cox said. "Barry will hit 300 and he'll only hit 162."

Rafael Furcal reached on a bunt single and Andruw Jones singled before Sheffield hit the first pitch he saw from Adams over the left-center field fence.

"I think it was a curve ball," Sheffield said. "Since I have been over here, I haven't walked once, which is why I am more aggressive at the plate."

Jason Marquis (1-0) was the winner in the battle of converted relievers, allowing both runs and five hits in six innings. He walked three and struck out eight.

"I am happy with the way I threw the ball," Marquis said. "It's always nice to get those runs. I think we have a team that can do that night after night."

Four relievers followed Marquis with Damian Ross pitching the ninth.

Moss has been mentioned as a possible starter for Sunday against the New York Mets if Greg Maddux has not recovered from an back injury.

One of the hits off Marquis was a solo homer in the sixth by Scott Rolen, who was celebrating his 27th birthday.

"We got our (butts) kicked. We put two runs on the board," Rolen said. "You're not going to beat the Braves that way. We have to play better than we did tonight."

Adams (0-1), making his Philadelphia debut after two years with Sheffield in Los Angeles, lasted two outs into the sixth and was tagged for six runs and eight hits.

"Facing a teammate on a different team, you want to do well against him," Adams said. "Today it was fun facing him. I got him out once."

Sheffield started the sixth-inning rally with a single before going to second on a two-out single by Wes Helms. Marcus Giles singled home a run and the relay throw from third baseman Pat Burrell hit Sheffield and deflected away, allowing another run to score.

Hector Mercado relieved and allowed a run-scoring single to Mark DeRosa and an RBI single to Furcal that made it 7-2.

Ricky Bottalico relieved and allowed a two-run blast to Andruw Jones before Chipper Jones followed with a solo shot.

Javy Lopez scored the final Atlanta run on an error by second baseman Marlon Anderson in the seventh.

Mike Lieberthal had an RBI double in the fourth for the Phillies.

ComcastSportsNet.com wire services