Latest Georgia sports

BRAVES-REDS

Mesoraco's slam sends Reds over Braves 6-3

CINCINNATI (AP) Rookie catcher Devin Mesoraco capped a series full of homers with his first career grand slam on Thursday night, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

The Reds completed their first four-game sweep of the Braves in Cincinnati since 1980 at Riverfront Stadium. They've won six straight, their longest winning streak since August 2010 when they started their push toward the NL Central title.

The teams combined for 16 homers 13 solo shots accounting for 21 of the 24 runs in the series.

Mesoraco connected off Kris Medlen, who relieved Randall Delgado (2-5) with the bases loaded in the sixth. Drew Stubbs added a solo shot for Cincinnati.

Homer Bailey (3-3) gave up four hits in six innings, including Michael Bourn's two-run homer.

BRAVES-JONES

Braves 3B Chipper Jones honored by Reds

CINCINNATI (AP) Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has received a base as a memento of his final trip to Cincinnati.

The Reds honored Jones before the final game of their series on Thursday. They've used bases with Jones' name on the side in all four games. Reds third baseman Scott Rolen presented Jones with one of the bases in a frame.

The Reds also showed a montage of Jones' highlights on the video board. He got a standing ovation from the fans. Jones plans to retire after the season.

He wanted to play in the series, but was limited to one pinch-hit appearance. He took a grounder off his left calf last Friday and has been out of the starting lineup since then, unable to move well because of swelling in the leg.

NASCAR-COCA-COLA 600-QUALIFYING

Almirola takes first pole at Coca-Cola 600

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) Aric Almirola took the pole for the Coca-Cola 600 with a lap of 192.940 mph Thursday night, giving Richard Petty Motorsports a front-row sweep at Charlotte Motor Speedway for NASCAR's longest race.

Teammate Marcus Ambrose was second at 191.598 in qualifying for the Sunday night race.

Petty won a Sprint Cup-record 123 poles during his career.

Almirola, gearing up for his first series race at Charlotte, and Ambrose took advantage of cooler track conditions late in qualifying. Jimmie Johnson, who won last week's All-Star race, was third, followed by Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer.

Kurt Busch will start at the back of the field after wrecking in qualifying.

Danica Patrick qualified 43rd for her first Coca-Cola 600.

UNION-COLLUSION

Union leader says NFL doesn't deny collusion

WASHINGTON (AP) NFL players union chief DeMaurice Smith says the league isn't exactly refuting his organization's claim of collusion.

The NFL Players Association claimed in U.S. District Court in Minnesota on Wednesday that the 32 teams had a secret salary cap in place during the uncapped 2010 season, and that it cost players at least $1 billion in wages. On Thursday, outside of union headquarters, Smith repeated those charges.

Said Smith: "It doesn't sound like you're denying the existence of collusion, does it?"

On Wednesday, hours after the court action, the NFL issued a statement saying "the union's claims have absolutely no merit and we fully expect them to be dismissed."