GAME: Montreal Expos (25-26) at Atlanta Braves (28-24).

TIME: Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. EDT.

Despite continuing injury problems, the Atlanta Braves have sole possession of the NL East for the first time this season.

Atlanta looks to overcome its latest battle with the injury bug as they play the middle game of their series with the Montreal Expos at Turner Field.

The ailing Braves lost two more players but took over sole possession of the top spot in the division with a 5-2 victory over the Expos on Tuesday night.

"It was a good and bad day," said Chipper Jones, who left the clubhouse on crutches. "We're in first all by ourselves, and we have guys off the bench doing what it takes. But we had to pay the price with a couple of guys going down."

Jones fouled a ball off his right leg in the second inning, leaving an imprint of the words "National League" on his uniform. In the sixth, Marcus Giles severely sprained his right ankle trying to avoid a tag; he was put on the disabled list after the game.

Still, Atlanta won for the ninth time in 12 games to reclaim the position that has been so familiar over the last decade.

The Braves, who have won an unprecedented 10 straight division titles, gained sole possession of first when the New York Mets lost to Philadelphia 5-3.

"I like it a lot," manager Bobby Cox said. "That's what we've been shooting for all year. I'd rather be in first than last."

Montreal's Jose Vidro had his 21-game hitting streak snapped, and leadoff hitter Jose Macias went 0-for-3 in the leadoff spot, continuing what has a been a weak spot all season for the Expos.

Seven different players have filled the role already, compared with eight last year. Macias made his fourth start at the top of the order, and lowered his average to a sickly .167 since being acquired from Detroit for Chris Truby on May 16. He was batting .234 with the Tigers.

STANDINGS: Expos - 4th place, 2½ GB, NL East. Braves - 1st place, NL East.

EXPOS PROBABLE STARTER: Tomo Ohka (4-3, 3.61 ERA). The Japanese right-hander lasted at least seven innings for the third straight start and notched his first win since April 24 in Friday's 4-1 victory over Philadelphia. He gave up one run and five hits, walking one and striking out four. Ohka has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of 10 starts this season. He is 1-2 with a 6.32 ERA in three career starts against Atlanta.

BRAVES PROBABLE STARTER: Kevin Millwood (3-5, 4.74 ERA). Millwood ended a personal four-game losing streak Friday, winning for the first time in seven starts since April 17. He allowed two runs and eight hits over six innings in an 11-2 victory over Cincinnati. The right-hander gave up 11 runs and 12 hits over 9 2-3 innings in his previous two outings. Millwood has split 10 career decisions against Montreal.

OFFENSIVE LEADERS: Expos - Vidro, .340 avg. and 37 runs; Vladimir Guerrero, 13 HRs, 44 RBIs and 10 SBs. Braves - Chipper Jones, .323 avg.; Andruw Jones, 12 HRs, 34 RBIs and 32 runs; Rafael Furcal, 12 SBs.

SEASON SERIES: Braves, 3-1.

STREAKS AND NOTES: Expos - 3B Tatis, who homered in Tuesday's loss, is just 2-for-16 in his career against Millwood. ... SS Cabrera leads the Expos with 10 career RBIs against Millwood. ... Peter Bergeron started the year in the leadoff spot, but he was optioned to Ottawa with a .187 average. Braves - SS Furcal has scored a run in seven consecutive games. ... Atlanta has won seven of its last nine games at Turner Field.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Expos - 8-16 on the road. Braves - 15-12 at home.

INJURIES: Expos - LHP Scott Downs (elbow), 60-day DL; RHP Troy Mattes (shoulder), out for the season. Braves - OF Corey Aldridge (shoulder), out for the season; INF Mark DeRosa (ankle), 15-day DL; RHP Derrick Lewis (elbow), 15-day DL; OF George Lombard (calf), 60-day DL; OF Dave Martinez (knee), out for the season; LHP Horacio Ramirez (elbow), 15-day DL; OF Gary Sheffield (hamstring), day-to-day; OF B.J. Surhoff (knee), out for the season.