The Tomahawk Times - Reyes shines, Braves take 5-2 win over Angels

LOS ANGELES -- The Atlanta Braves won a road game on Friday at Angel Stadium, and they did it without Chipper Jones to boot. Jo-Jo Reyes went eight innings as Atlanta defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by a 5-2 score.

Reyes (3-4) went eight strong innings and allowed just two runs on five hits, while striking out five to help the Braves snap a six-game losing streak. The Angels could manage just one hit and two base runners over the final five innings against Reyes.

This marked the first win in seven tries this season, without Jones in the line-up. Jones was injured during batting practice when a ball deflected off the crossbar of the batting cage and ricocheted straight down, striking him in the face. Precautionary X-rays were negative and the Braves list Jones as day-to-day.

It was a different cast of characters that powered the Braves' offense against Jon Garland (6-4). Atlanta hitters feasted on Garland, collecting 12 hits and five runs against him in five and two thirds innings of work.

Kelly Johnson and Greg Norton were the only Atlanta starters not to get at least one hit on the night, with six regulars collecting two or more.

The bottom part of the order did all the damage, with Gregor Blanco going 3-for-3 and knocking in a career-high three runs out of the ninth spot of the order. Brandon Jones got his first start since being recalled from Richmond and responded with a 2-for-3 night, scoring twice and knocking in another.

On Deck: Right-hander Charlie Morton will make his Major League debut as the Braves and Angels square off again on Saturday. Ervin Santana will get the call for the Angels. Game time is set for 9:05 PM EST.