Braves’ Powwow Produces Big Pow

National League

Maybe the Atlanta Braves should call a team meeting more often.

After dropping five consecutive games, the club held a players-only meeting before Monday’s 7-5 win over Chicago.

On Tuesday night, the Braves really broke loose. Ryan Klesko drove in six runs with two of Atlanta’s five home runs, and the Braves broke out of a season-long slump with a 20-hit attack that gave them a 17-3 victory over the visiting Cubs.

Klesko and Chipper Jones each had four hits. Jones, Jeff Blauser and Javier Lopez also homered for the Braves, who came into the game with a .241 batting average, next to last in the league. The onslaught raised their average to .249.

“I think the meeting got us focused,” said Jones, who raised his average 19 points to .273. “For the first time all season we’ve really had the killer instinct.”

Marquis Grissom, who broke out of a 1-for-19 slump with three singles, said meetings don’t win games, but “it didn’t hurt. The club is more aggressive since the meeting.”

During the five-game skid, the Braves scored nine runs.

Atlanta scored eight runs in the fourth off starter Steve Trachsel (2-3) and Willie Banks.

Atlanta’s biggest inning since May 8, 1991, was keyed by Klesko’s grand slam off Trachsel. Blauser then followed with his sixth homer of the season.

“Klesko finally had a good night with the bat,” said Atlanta manager Bobby Cox. “It’s been a long time coming.”

Klesko lifted his average 47 points to .258.

Padres 1, Phillies 0

San Diego

Fernando Valenzuela (2-2) drove in the only run of the game and pitched six strong innings for his first win as a San Diego starter, handing Philadelphia its fifth straight loss.

Dodgers 5, Expos 1

Los Angeles

Ismael Valdes (2-2) outdueled rookie sensation Carlos Perez (5-1), who had his five-game winning streak snapped as Los Angeles defeated Montreal.

Reds 2, Pirates 1 (10) i

Cincinnati

Eric Owens’ single in the 10th, in his first official major-league at-bat, gave Cincinnati a win over Pittsburgh, which has lost five straight.

The Reds have won 13 of their last 15 games to take charge in the N.L. Central.

Marlins 7, Astros 6 (11)

Houston

Charles Johnson’s double in the 11th, his third of the game, scored Greg Colbrunn from second base and gave Florida a win over Houston.

Rockies 5, Cardinals 4

Denver

Walt Weiss drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth to break a tie, and Colorado earned its 11th come-from-behind win by edging St. Louis.

Giants 2, Mets 1

San Francisco

Pinch-hitter Rikkert Faneyte singled over the head of center fielder Brett Butler with one out in the ninth to give San Francisco a win over New York.

Giants among men

Four San Francisco Giants lead the early balloting for the National League All-Star team.

Four-time All-Star Barry Bonds leads in the outfield and Giants center fielder Darren Lewis is third. Also among the leaders are third baseman Matt Williams, who is on the disabled list, and second baseman Robby Thompson.

Other position leaders are shortstop Ozzie Smith of St. Louis, also on the DL, catcher Mike Piazza of Los Angeles, outfielder Lenny Dykstra of Philadelphia, and first baseman Fred McGriff of Atlanta.

Clearing the bases

San Francisco pitcher William VanLandingham is 7-0 in his career in day games… . Atlanta’s Fred McGriff has reached base in 20 consecutive games.