Brian McCann had a scheduled day off Sunday, usually not a good thing for the Braves' immediate needs. Particularly not in a crucial stretch of the season.

The decision wasn't up to the All-Star catcher; McCann would play every day if given the choice. Manager Bobby Cox wanted to be sure McCann got enough rest, especially in the heat of mid-summer and in a day game after a night game.

Backup Corky Miller went 1-for-4 and has hit .106 with one homer and three RBIs in 47 at-bats. He also made a throwing error Sunday that led to two runs.

McCann has hit .302 with 28 doubles, 18 homers and 56 RBIs in 91 games. That's a heavy workload for a catcher, although McCann has shown no perceptible signs of fatigue.

He's hit a team-high .340 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 14 July games. All other Braves have a combined .224 average with 10 homers and 49 RBIs in July.

McCann has displayed even more than his usual intensity in recent days — taking an extra base, stealing a base, slamming his helmet in frustration after lining out with runners on base to end an inning.

"He's a competitor, man, and he's a smart ballplayer," third baseman Chipper Jones said. "He's doing everything in his power to win a ballgame. I'll take eight other guys just like him."

When someone mentioned McCann appeared to be playing with a sense of urgency, Jones said, "We're in a situation of urgency. We all need to be urgent."

Etc.

Cox was thrown out in the third inning Sunday, extending his major league record to 141 career ejections. He's been tossed from six games this season, five behind his single-season high of 11 ejections in 2001. ... Martin Prado's fourth-inning home run was his first homer this season and the first pinch-hit homer of his career.... Washington's Austin Kearns scored five runs Sunday to match a franchise record.