Chipper Jones (strained muscle) and Andruw Jones (flu) scratched from Atlanta lineup

<p>Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones were scratched from Atlanta's lineup minutes before the first pitch Monday night, leaving the Braves without two big boppers as they opened a crucial series against the New York Mets.</p><p>Chipper Jones strained a muscle on his right side during batting practice, potentially a huge blow for the Braves as they try to stay in playoff contention down the stretch. He was batting .330 with 25 home runs, 39 doubles and 87 RBIs despite missing 25 games due to injury.</p><p>It was uncertain how long the star third baseman might be out this time. After a 3-2 loss to the Mets, Atlanta manager Bobby Cox called his slugger doubtful for Tuesday night.</p><p>"Anytime you lose a guy like Chipper, your lineup's just not going to be as good," Braves pitcher Tim Hudson said.</p><p>Andruw Jones was pulled because of the flu. Struggling through a disappointing season, the Gold Glove center fielder was hitting .223 with 24 homers and 85 RBIs. He might be available Tuesday, Cox said.</p><p>Yunel Escobar shifted from second base to third, and Martin Prado was inserted at second. Prado batted sixth, where Andruw Jones had been penciled in. Willie Harris started in center, hitting eighth. Left fielder Matt Diaz was moved from eighth in the order to Chipper Jones' No. 3 spot.</p><p>The Braves, who began the day fifth in the NL wild-card race, fell five games behind front-running San Diego. They are 9 1/2 behind New York in the division, their largest deficit this season. Atlanta has 18 games remaining, 11 on the road.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/9/90829