All the Philadelphia Phillies needed to get out of their interleague doldrums was a visit to division rival Atlanta.
Shane Victorino hit a home run and drove in four runs and the Phillies beat the Braves 8-3 on Tuesday night to remain unbeaten at Turner Field this season and spoil the return of Chipper Jones.
Pat Burrell also hit a homer for the Phillies, who improved to 6-1 against the Braves this season. They are 4-0 in Atlanta.
"I don't know what it is," said Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick, who gave up seven hits and three runs in six innings. He improved to 2-0 against the Braves this season and 3-0 in his career.
The Phillies took three straight wins in Atlanta on June 6-8 but then lost six straight series, including four against American League teams. Manager Charlie Manuel said his team may have found comfort in facing the Braves, a familiar opponent.
"Yeah, it can help you without a doubt," Manuel said.
"Maybe (Monday's) day off helped us too, and absolutely getting over here where we know the players."
In other NL games, it was: New York 7, St. Louis 4; Washington 9, Florida 6; Colorado 4, San Diego 0; Pittsburgh 6, Cincinnati 5, 11 innings; Los Angeles 7, Houston 6, 11 innings; Milwaukee 8, Arizona 6; and San Francisco 2, Chicago 1.
The Phillies, only 4-11 in interleague play, are 41-28 against NL teams.
"It's nice to come back to the division and win a game in our division," Victorino said. "It's definitely a big win, especially the first game back playing a division team."
Jones, who had missed eight straight starts with a strained right quadriceps, was 1-for-3 with a double and two walks. He had been expected to go on the DL but instead told manager Bobby Cox before the game that he was ready to play. He said he had no problems with the injury but added: "We got our butts whipped tonight."
Mets 7, Cardinals 4
At St. Louis, Tony Armas won his season debut after being called up from the minor leagues and eighth-place hitter Ramon Castro had two hits and three RBIs in New York's victory over St. Louis.
