Braves 7, Padres 1

By PAUL NEWBERRY
AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA (AP) Mike Hampton hardly looks like that pitcher who couldn't get anyone out the last two years.

No, this is starting to resemble that guy who won 22 games in 1999.

Hampton pitched three-hit ball over eight innings, winning his seventh in a row as the Atlanta Braves got some payback with a 7-1 victory over San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.

``It's nice to help the team win and be a plus,'' Hampton said. ``I don't have to answer all those questions about the last two years. It's taken a long time to get to this point.''

Hampton (10-5) pitched the 2001-02 seasons in the thin air of Colorado, which reduced the downward movement of his sinker and, when he tried to adjust, screwed up his mechanics. He went 7-15 last year, and his 6.14 ERA was the highest for any qualifying starter in the National League.

After being traded to the Braves, Hampton needed a few months to find his consistency. He's on a roll, going 7-0 with a 3.57 ERA over his last eight starts his longest winning streak since he took 11 in a row for the Houston Astros in 1999 on the way to a career-best 22-4 record.

``His ball is moving all over the place,'' said Gary Sheffield, who drove in three runs and extended his hitting streak to 17 games. ``They really didn't get a lot of good swings against him. I'm glad he's on our team.''

Chipper Jones and Vinny Castilla homered for the Braves, who redeemed themselves for an embarrassing 14-4 loss the previous night against the NL's worst team. The Padres, who tied a franchise record with 24 hits Tuesday, were held to four measly hits.

``We couldn't do anything wrong last night, and we couldn't do anything offensively tonight,'' manager Bruce Bochy said. ``That's the way it goes in this game.''

Hampton pitched his first complete game in more than two years last week, beating Milwaukee 7-1. In his last two starts, he has allowed just eight hits.

Hampton didn't get a chance for his second straight complete game. Manager Bobby Cox lifted his starter for a pinch-hitter, deciding that 99 pitches was enough with a comfortable lead.

Cox also wanted to get a look at Kent Mercker, acquired from Cincinnati on Tuesday. The left-hander pitched a scoreless ninth in his return to Atlanta, receiving a standing ovation on his way to the mound.

``I really wasn't expecting anything,'' said Mercker, who was with the Braves from 1989-95. ``I just wanted to come in under the radar, get three outs and get out of here.''

The Braves set the tone right away, opening with three straight hits against Kevin Jarvis (4-5). Marcus Giles had an RBI double and Sheffield followed with a run-scoring single for a quick 2-0 lead.

Jones homered in his second straight game since getting some hitting advice from his dad, former college coach Larry Jones. The left fielder led off the third with a mammoth 428-foot drive into the right-field bleachers for his 20th homer of the season.

``He's swinging much better,'' Cox said. ``He's got his power slot back.''

Sheffield picked up two more RBIs in the fourth with a two-out double, driving home Rafael Furcal and Giles to put the Braves ahead 5-1.

Castilla broke an 0-for-13 slump in the fifth, hitting a two-run shot for his 19th homer.

Jarvis went five innings, giving up 11 hits and all seven runs for his third straight loss. The Braves scored four of their runs with two-out hits.

The Padres put together two of their hits in the fourth, with Mark Kotsay singling in a run.< ^Notes:@ Furcal matched his career high with four hits. ... The Padres are now 0-3 in games after scoring 10 runs. ... The Braves now have four hitters with at least 20 homers, and Castilla is just one away. ... Giles has 38 doubles, tying Bret Boone's Atlanta record for second basemen.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)