The Braves Dugout

Ross’s slam help Braves cruise

ATLANTA -- When Brian McCann neared the end of the 2009 season, he was visibly fatigued. As the Braves enter the heart of a tight pennant race, David Ross is giving manager Bobby Cox reason to feel comfort when providing McCann his necessary rest.

Unless utilizing his witty sense of humor, Ross will never pretend to believe that he has McCann's power or Carl Crawford's speed. But while delivering a triple and producing a grand slam in the Braves' 9-2 win over the Mets on Tuesday night at Turner Field, the popular backup catcher provided the reminder that his contributions extend beyond his great leadership skills and rifle arm.

"He's as good a guy as you ever want on your team, as a teammate, clubhouse guy and guy who can throw out runners," Cox said. "He's got power. It's a joy to see his face every day in the clubhouse. He's full of energy and team-oriented all of the time."

After helping to keep rookie lefty Mike Minor composed while the Mets drew three walks and claimed a short-lived lead with a pair of sacrifice flies in the top of the fifth, Ross came to bat in the bottom half of the frame and capped a seven-run outburst with his first career grand slam. The blast into the left-field seats chased Mets starter Jon Niese and allowed Minor to remain relaxed while his teammates secured his third win through four Major League starts.

"It was just nice to contribute when B-Mac gets a day off," Ross said. "It gives him some rest. He's been playing really well lately. I've got to do good or else I'm not going to get back in there, as well as he's been playing."

Taking advantage of the chance to start for the fourth time in 14 games, Ross simply put an exclamation point on the decisive fifth that was fueled by a two-run Jason Heyward double, which gave the Braves a lead they would increase while distancing themselves from the frustration they felt while squandering early opportunities against Niese.

On the way to a three-hit performance, Derrek Lee produced a second-inning leadoff double that went unrewarded and then delivered a fourth-inning RBI single that accounted for the game's first run. Atlanta's newly acquired first baseman, who has tallied five hits in the first two games of this series, admits that he's still playing through some of the back discomfort that was present when he was acquired from the Cubs on Aug. 18.

"It feels all right," Lee said with his back tightly wrapped during a postgame address with reporters.