Jo-Jo Reyes wins 2008 debut, Braves crush Reds 9-1
By CHARLES ODUM | Associated Press | May 3, 08 9:17 PM CDT in
Sports
The Atlanta Braves made it easy for Jo-Jo Reyes to win his 2008 debut.
Reyes gave up one run in 5 1-3 innings, and Atlanta broke open a close game with a six-run seventh to beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-1 Saturday night.
Reyes (1-0), recalled from Triple-A Richmond for the start in place of the injured John Smoltz, gave up four hits and one run in 5 1-3 innings. He walked three and struck out five.
Relievers Jeff Bennett, Will Ohman, Jorge Campillo, Blaine Boyer and Chris Resop finished with 3 2-3 perfect innings.
Reds starter Matt Belisle (1-2) gave up eight hits and two runs in 5 1-3 innings.
Reyes probably earned himself another start. When Smoltz returns from his shoulder injury, he plans to become the Braves' closer.
The Braves led only 2-1 on a double by Chipper Jones in the first and Yunel Escobar's single in the fifth before sending 10 batters to the plate in the big seventh inning.
Mark Teixeira's bases-loaded walk off Jeremy Affeldt drove in the first run. Brian McCann followed with a two-run double to left. Jeff Francoeur, Mark Kotsay and Matt Diaz also drove in runs in the inning.
The Braves, who matched their season high with 15 hits, added a run in the eighth when Kelly Johnson doubled and scored on Francisco Cordero's wild pitch.
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