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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, July 8, 2005

Williams can't stop Cubs' slide

Associated Press

Chicago Cubs starter Jerome Williams allowed eight hits and three runs in the nightcap of a doubleheader against Atlanta.

john bazemore | Associated Press

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ATLANTA — Andruw Jones hit his major league-leading 27th homer, a two-run shot, and rookie Jeff Francoeur added a three-run blast in a six-run eighth inning as the Atlanta Braves beat Chicago, 9-4, last night to complete a sweep of a doubleheader and extend the Cubs' losing streak to eight.

Horacio Ramirez (8-5) won the opener 6-0 with his first career shutout. The Braves chased Chicago starter Mark Prior (5-3) in the fifth when Julio Franco hit a three-run homer.

"That's what you do at this level if you want to make a good first impression," said Jones of Francoeur.

John Smoltz went seven innings for the seventh time in eight starts in the nightcap. He allowed six hits and four runs. He entered with a 15-4 career record, a 2.83 ERA and eight saves against Chicago.

John Foster (2-1) pitched a scoreless eighth to earn the win as the Braves batted around in the bottom half of the inning.

Chicago's Jerome Williams allowed eight hits and three runs, and left with a 4-3 lead after six innings, eventually ending with a no-decision.

The Waipahu High grad was making his fourth start for the Cubs since being traded from San Francisco in May.