Jo-Jo Reyes did nothing to improve his chances to open the season with the big league club although the Braves came out on top of the Phillies with a 12-10 win Wednesday at Clearwater.

Reyes had a sub-performance Wednesday allowing four hits, two runs and one home run in four innings. He also struck out four. Reyes went 0-7 with a 7.81 ERA in his final 13 appearances (12 starts) last year. Before today's start he had surrendered only one run in nine Spring Training innings and during his past two outings, he had worked seven scoreless innings.

Jeff Bennett allowed five hits and five runs in just one-third of an inning to give him a 14.54 ERA this spring.

Atlanta finished their exhibition schedule against Philadelphia with a perfect 3-0 record.

Catcher Clint Sammons swung the big bat for Atlanta with two two-run home runs. He went 2-for-4 with four RBIs and is hitting .462 (6-for-13) this spring.

Outfielder Jordan Schafer, who had been sidelined since Feb. 28 with a sprained left shoulder, returned to the lineup and went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. It still appears that Josh Anderson is the favorite as Opening Day center fielder.

Jeff Francoeur went 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Matt Diaz went 2-for-3 with one RBI, Yunel Escobar went 2-for-4 and Diory Hernandez went 2-for-3.

For the returning World Champions Jason Donald, went 3-for-4 to raise his Grapefruit League average to .379.

Pat Burrell's replacement in left field, Raul Ibanez, went 2-for-3. John Mayberry Jr. hit a solo homer in the fourth inning, his third of the Grapefruit League season. He went 2-for-3 and is hitting .290.

Kyle Kendrick, who is fighting for the fifth spot in the rotation, did not help his cause in three-plus innings. He allowed 10 hits, eight runs, one walk, two home runs and committed a balk. After two-run home runs by Sammons in the second and fourth innings, Reyes followed with a double and a single, respectively.

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Atlanta hosts the Washington Nationals on Thursday at 1:05 p.m. at Disney's Champion Field. Right-hander Jair Jurrjens, closer Mike Gonzalez and highly regarded prospect Kris Medlen are scheduled to pitch.

The Braves still aren't sure when Garret Anderson might be able to return. But once again, Cox said he's hopeful that the veteran outfielder will be in his Opening Day lineup.
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Source: MLB.com

Jason Donald
- Photo2 by Tim Evearitt