Rollins slams door on Atlanta

FROM THE MORNING CALL

Atlanta — Jimmy Rollins' third career grand slam punctuated a five-run sixth inning, helping the Philadelphia Phillies deal the Atlanta Braves a potentially critical defeat, 11-5, to begin the final series of the regular season at Turner Field.

Rollins, who has been mired with injuries all season, hit just his eighth home run of 2010 for the Phillies, who have locked up the NL East and are in search of the majors' best record for the first time in franchise history. With the victory, Philadelphia moved 1 1 2 games ahead of the Yankees, who were rained out on Friday in Boston.

Kyle Kendrick (11-10) earned the win in his final start of the season, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks in five innings.


Derrek Lee drove in all five Atlanta runs, but the Braves missed out on a chance to clinch a share of the NL wild card. Entering the day two games ahead of the Padres, Atlanta's magic number to clinch a postseason berth remains at two after Friday's loss. San Diego plays Friday at San Francisco.

Brandon Beachy (0-2) allowed four runs -- two earned -- on seven hits and a walk while fanning five in 5 2/3 frames in defeat. Peter Moylan walked home the go-ahead run, and Mike Dunn allowed Rollins' grand slam.

Burnett key for Yankees

After starting against the Red Sox on Saturday night, A.J. Burnett might not start again until the league championship series — assuming the Yankees advance past the first round.

"I just want the ball, whenever it is," Burnett said about the potential for being skipped in the division series. "I mean, I understand what's going on, I understand how I'm throwing (and) I haven't been helping the team when I'm on the mound."

Outside of naming CC Sabathia as Wednesday's Game 1 starter, the Yankees have not announced a rotation for the division series against Minnesota or Texas. But Friday, The Record's Bob Klapisch reported that Burnett likely would be bypassed in the best-of-five series.

"Do I want it to happen? Heck no," Burnett said of that possibility. "I want the ball."

Friday night's game was rained out in Boston, pushing Andy Pettitte's start to 4 o'clock on Saturday against Tim Wakefield. Burnett follows in the night game, scheduled as a 9 o'clock start, against Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Manager Joe Girardi said Saturday night is "a big start" for Burnett, "and it could be a huge start for us," considering the Yankees' chances of winning the AL East and gaining home-field advantage.

However, Girardi wasn't looking at Burnett on Saturday as if he were pitching for a place on the postseason roster. "No, my biggest concern is that he pitches well," Girardi said.

That's the same approach Burnett is taking.

"I don't want to look at it as a bigger start. But it's a very important start for myself," Burnett said, mentioning the need to give his teammates reason to share his own confidence.

"I'm sure people are curious," Burnett said, cracking a smile.

Speaking frankly, and in a genial mood, Burnett termed his regular season as "rubbish," but believes there's time left for a turnaround.

"I mean, I broke every record in the wrong direction for the Yankees this season," said Burnett, whose 5.33 ERA is the highest by any pitcher in Yankees' history with at least 180 innings. "Then again, I can go and throw a no-hitter out there any time. So, I have that in the back of my head too.

"(My) confidence is not lost, but I know there's questions. I'm not oblivious."

Burnett's latest flop was Monday night at Toronto, charged with seven runs on seven hits two of them homers in just 2$ innings. That left Burnett with a 1-7 record and a 6.98 ERA in his last 11 starts.

"I ain't erasing that," Burnett said. "But I can make it better, I know that. I know I can help this year, so I haven't lost that."

In Burnett's view, he doesn't feel he's pitching tonight for his place in the division series. "But then again, I've given them a lot of reason to think so," he said, adding that he's more concerned about boosting opinion within the confines of the clubhouse.

"Once you make the playoffs, you kind of start over."

But can Burnett find a clear path to channel the good command of his fastball and signature curveball? He hasn't been able to duplicate the rhythm he exhibited during the season's first two months, when he went 6-2, with a 3.28 ERA in 11 starts.

"That seems like four years ago," Burnett said.

Overall, Burnett feels his regular season belongs in the trash can. "It's true man," Burnett said of his "rubbish" quote. "I'm here for a reason and I haven't done (anything) to help this team this year. That's my own opinion, that's how I feel, but I don't sit and dwell on it."

At times, Burnett does wonder "where we'd be if I had pulled my weight," as the Yanks entered the weekend fighting an uphill battle to claim the AL East.

"But I look around and I tip my hat to Phil Hughes, CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte. (Hughes) picked me up big time," said Burnett, who'd rather throw seven innings and feel good about Saturday's start than anything else.

"There's no erasing (the regular season) now," Burnett said. "But I know I can make it disappear for a few weeks maybe."

http://www.mcall.com/sports/baseball/phillies/mc-philliesbraves10-01-20101001,0,2168313.story