ATLANTA - The Atlanta Braves have finally made it back to a familiar position.

Winners of 12 straight division titles, the Braves gained sole possession of first place in the NL East for the first time all season with a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies Monday night.

Mike Hampton pitched seven strong innings, and the Atlanta defense made several spectacular plays, including shortstop Rafael Furcal's leaping catch of David Bell's liner to end the game. Bell slung away his bat in frustration, nearly hitting home plate umpire Tim Timmons.

The Braves won for the 16th time in 20 games, breaking a tie with the Phillies for the top spot.

"They smell blood every time they take the field," said Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa, his team falling out of the division lead for the first time since June 27. "They don't win by accident."

Despite their impressive pedigree, it's a little surprising to find the Braves in this position. After all, they went through a major salary purge during the offseason, losing Gary Sheffield, Greg Maddux and Vinny Castilla.

The Phillies and World Series champion Florida Marlins were supposed to be the new powers in the East, but it appears that first in this division still goes through a familiar place - Atlanta.

"The goal is to be in first when the whole season is completed," manager Bobby Cox said. "We'll try to stay there."

Adam LaRoche, Andruw Jones, Charles Thomas and Chipper Jones drove in runs for the Braves, while Hampton (5-8) got through another rocky start to win for the fourth time in five starts. Jimmy Rollins led off the game with a double and scored on Bobby Abreu's groundout.

Hampton has given up 19 runs in the first - more than any other inning - but he quickly settled down. The Phillies managed only one hit the next five innings, a stretch of domination that ended with Jim Thome's monstrous homer over the center-field fence leading off the seventh.

The Phillies threatened to get back in the game when Jason Michaels walked and Bell followed with a single, putting runners at first and second with one out. But Mike Lieberthal hit into an inning-ending double play, which began with Chipper Jones fielding a tricky hop at third base.

On the mound, Hampton pumped his fist and let out a yell as he watched the ball go around the horn.

"I was real excited about it," Hampton said. "It gave me a lot of confidence for Bobby (Cox) to stay with me in that position."

John Smoltz went the rest of the way for his second two-inning save of the season. He struck out four and had to get the final out twice - Ricky Ledee struck out but reached on a passed ball, putting runners at first and third in the ninth.

Bell hit a liner that appeared headed for left field, but Furcal stretched out to make a leaping catch that ended the game. Smoltz kneeled on the mound and pumped his fist, savoring his 18th save in 20 chances.

"I thought it was a base hit," he said. "He really made solid contact."

Phillies starter Paul Abbott lasted only 4 2-3 innings and dropped to 0-4 since joining Philadelphia. He started the season with Tampa Bay, going 2-5 before his release on June 3.

"It is definitely frustrating," Abbott said. "How can it not be?"

In what is becoming a daily occurrence, Thomas made another spectacular play in the field, too. The left fielder made a diving catch on Rollins' soft flyball in the sixth, continuing his brilliant play since being called up from the minors June 23.

Andruw Jones chipped in with a belly flopper of his own to end the eighth.

"The team was outstanding," Hampton said. "All the guys behind me deserve the credit."

Notes: Cox won his 1,600th game as Braves

manager, giving him 1,955 victories overall. "I honestly don't follow that stuff," Cox said. ... The Phillies have yet to win a series against the other top teams in the NL East. They are 8-19 against Atlanta, Florida and the New York Mets. ... Atlanta's J.D. Drew extended his career-best hitting streak to 16 games with a fifth-inning single. ... Philadelphia RHP Ryan Madson pitched 2 1-3 scoreless innings, stretching his streak without giving up a run to 21.