The Associated Press

MIAMI - Atlanta Braves slugger Gary Sheffield says the team should be more upset about its mediocre record the past five weeks.

The Braves have had a big lead in the NL East race for months, and they're on the verge of winning their 12th consecutive division title. But a loss Friday at Florida left them 21-19 since Aug. 1. They were 71-37 before that.

"The laid-back attitude - I don't really like it," Sheffield said. "These games count."

Atlanta blew a 3-0 lead Friday against the Marlins, a potential postseason opponent.

"These games you want to win," Sheffield said. "They set the tone that we're the better team."

With the division title virtually assured, the Braves' biggest motivation in recent weeks has been earning home-field advantage in the playoffs. Through Friday they had a 1 1/2-game edge over NL West leader San Francisco.

"We need to try to get home-field advantage," Sheffield said. "I know I don't want to go to San Francisco in the cold."

MARLINS: Right-hander Brad Penny said his hyperextended pitching elbow felt better Saturday, and he hopes to miss only one start.

Penny left Friday's game against Atlanta in the first inning after hurting his elbow while warming up.

Because the Marlins have an off day Monday, they can stay with their regular rotation and not need Penny until Saturday. If he can't pitch, he'll be replaced by Rick Helling, who threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings Friday.

YANKEES: Left fielder Hideki Matsui left the opener of Saturday's doubleheader against Tampa Bay after bruising his knee in a collision near first base.

Matsui was hurt in the seventh inning, when he hit a ball to the right side with two outs and the bases loaded.

Matsui took a long time to get up after the collision and was taken to a hospital for X-rays, which were negative, Yankees spokesman Rick Cerrone said.

Matsui has played in all 147 of New York's games this season. Before that, he played in 1,250 consecutive games in Japan.

ORIOLES: Melvin Mora left Baltimore's game against Toronto in the fourth inning Saturday after crashing into the right-field wall while trying to make a catch.

He was helped onto a cart and taken to the hospital for X-Rays on his knee.