Chipper misses third-straight start

Philadelphia — Chipper Jones said he would try to play Tuesday against Philadelphia, but a Wednesday return for the series finale seemed more probable.

He missed his third start in a row Monday for inflammation in his right shoulder. Jones, the major league batting leader, said the shoulder bothered him much less swinging left-handed than right-handed.

The Braves were scheduled to face lefty starters in each of the first two games of the Phillies series: rookie J.A. Happ on Monday and ace Cole Hamels today . Jones is 5-for-15 with two homers against Hamels.

Jones took a series of anti-inflammatory pills after coming out of Friday’s game against the Mets in the sixth inning.

“I’ll try to play tomorrow, and definitely try to play Wednesday,” he said Monday. “It doesn’t hurt as bad as it did, but it still hurts. … I’m still having pain when I simulate throwing. It’s an impingement in the back of my shoulder.”

Jones’ .362 average gave him a 13-point lead over St. Louis’ Albert Pujols in the National League batting race before Monday. He said the shoulder has been sore for more than a month.

Jones had a .339 average with two home runs in 115 at-bats since Aug. 9, with a higher on-base percentage (.465) than slugging percentage (.461). He had as many stolen bases (two) as homers in that period.

He was asked Saturday if it was hard to sit against Phillies, particularly given their first-place position in the NL East.

He carried a .339 career average with 97 extra-base hits (40 homers) and 121 RBIs in 188 games against the Phillies, and .424 (14-for-33) with three homers in 10 games this season.

“It was tough sitting out the last two days [against the Mets],” he said. “I want to be in there, having a say in what’s going on. But it’s not doing us much good if I can’t throw the ball across the infield.”

Jones was used to pinch-hit Sunday in the eighth inning against the Mets, who intentionally walked him to load the bases. Prado followed with a two-run single for a 7-4 lead in a game the Braves won 7-6.

They went 8-1 against the Mets this season at Turner Field, but were 0-9 at home against the Phillies — and 2-13 overall against them before Monday.

It was no surprise to learn which team Jones thought would win the division. He cited the recent loss of Mets closer Billy Wagner as a major factor.

“The offenses are comparable, and the defenses are comparable,” Jones said. “But the Phillies’ bullpen [is tougher], with the lefties who can turn guys around and neutralize lefties, and [closer Brad] Lidge being so dominant at the end.

“With the Mets bullpen, I got a sense the last time we played them, that nobody knows their role down there. There’s a lot of confusion down there. Jerry [Manuel, Mets manager] is trying to piece it together as well as he can.”

Escobar still hurting

It’s nine consecutive starts missed for shortstop Yunel Escobar, who said Monday that his strained hamstring hadn’t improved.

“It feels the same,” Escobar said through a translater.

The Braves have only five games remaining, two against the Phillies and a season-ending series that starts Friday at Houston.

Reyes gets radical

Braves pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes (3-11) looks like he’s at the point of trying anything, including a new haircut — a close-cropped Mohawk-like stripe on an otherwise shaved head.

The left-hander is 0-7 with a 7.79 ERA in his past 12 games (11 starts), and manager Bobby Cox’s patience has worn thin. Reyes’ next rotation turn would be Wednesday, provided the Braves don’t skip him and start someone else (as of Monday, they still listed their Wednesday starter as “undetermined.”)

Options are limited, and Cox indicated Reyes would probably make the start.