Braves blast Marlins early, 6-1

photo Atlanta Braves' Jason Heyward scores on a Chipper Jones two-run double in the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Atlanta, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

ATLANTA - Chipper Jones and Freddie Freeman each hit a two-run double, and the Atlanta Braves scored six runs in the first two innings to beat the Miami Marlins 6-1 Thursday night.

The 40-year-old Jones had two hits and is batting .316 in his final season before retirement.

The Braves, 6-1 on their 10-game homestand, remained 21/2 games behind first-place Washington in the NL East. They won three times in the four-game series.

Miami's Jose Reyes led off the sixth with a triple to left field, giving him a 20-game hitting streak to match his career high.

Reyes scored on Carlos Lee's sacrifice fly.

Jason Heyward had three hits and drove in a run for Atlanta.

Braves starter Mike Minor gave up two hits in 32/3 scoreless innings but didn't return following a rain delay of 42 minutes.

Cristhian Martinez (5-2) took over for Minor when play resumed in the fourth. Martinez allowed four hits and one run in three innings.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel stranded two runners in the ninth, striking out Emilio Bonifacio to end the game.

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