Even when you're having success -- a lot of it in Jo-Jo Reyes' case -- change can be beneficial.

The left-hander went 14-3 last season at three levels, including the major leagues. But Atlanta pitching coach Roger McDowell and others spotted mechanical issues in Reyes' delivery.

So Reyes spent spring training working with McDowell and Tom Glavine trying to get them ironed them out. His first start in Richmond's 5-3 victory over Buffalo before 939 at The Diamond last night indicated there's fewer wrinkles.

Reyes allowed one hit in five innings before reaching his 75-pitch limit. He struck out six and walked two.

"It's hard to change bad habits," he said. "This outing, and the last one in spring training, I felt more comfortable."

Getting a faster tempo and not throwing across his body were two major adjustments. From Glavine, Reyes picked up a better way to plant his foot against the rubber so he could push off.

"It could only go so far [the way I was throwing]," he said. "I'm going to be more consistent in the strike zone."

Reyes went into spring training vying for a starting spot in Atlanta's rotation. But he allowed 26 hits and walks and 12 runs in 11 innings and was sent to Richmond.

"It wasn't disappointing," he said. "I'm just glad I came down here and can work with [Richmond pitching coach Guy Hansen] and get everything squared away. I want to get everything down to a T and go back up with no problems."

Reyes hadn't thrown a hitter in almost three weeks. He didn't feel comfortable last night until the third inning, when he speeded up his delivery by almost a half-second. He retired the last nine hitters he faced, four by strikeout.

Richmond pitchers recorded 13 strikeouts.

"I think he got in a funk in spring training," Hansen said. "He got his tempo back tonight. He made an in-game adjustment and was lights out after the third inning."

SINGLING THEM OUT: A three-run seventh, courtesy of four straight singles, propelled Richmond to its third victory in five games.

Joe Borchard and Clint Sammons both singled to center. Wes Timmons knocked in a run with single to left. Josh Anderson's single to right scored another run. The last run came in on an error on third baseman Aaron Herr.

Borchard and Sammons each had two hits.

STREAKING: Designated hitter Barbaro Canizares doubled down the third-base line in the second inning, giving him a hit in all five games this season. Canizares, who went 1 for 4, is batting .429.

Left fielder Brandon Jones also has had a hit in all five games. He had a double in four at-bats last night and is batting .316.

UP NEXT: Richmond and Buffalo play the third game of the four-game series at 7 p.m. at The Diamond. Braves right-hander Buddy Carlyle (0-0, 7.36 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against lefty Aaron Laffey (1-0, 0.00).

BOX SCORE BUFFALO	RICHMOND
	a	r	h	bi			a	r	h	bi
Barfield 2b	3	0	1	0		Andrsn cf	4	0	1	1
Cooper rf	3	0	0	0		Lillbrdge ss	4	0	0	1
Francisco rf	4	0	0	0		Jones lf	4	1	1	0
Brown 1b	4	0	0	0		Canzrs dh	4	0	1	0
Mulhern dh	2	0	1	0		Spiezio 2b	4	0	1	1
Tyner pr-dh	1	1	0	0		Thrmn 1b	4	0	0	0
Gonzlz ss	4	1	1	2		Borchard rf	4	2	2	0
Snyder cf	3	1	1	1		Sammns c	4	1	2	1
Herr 3b	3	0	0	0		Tmmns 3b	4	1	1	1
Toregas c	3	0	0	0
Totals	30	3	4	3		Totals	36	5	9	5

Buffalo ------------------------- 000 000 201 -- 3 4 3
Richmond ------------------------- 000 100 31x -- 5 9 0

E -- Gonzalez 2 (3), Herr (3). DP -- Richmond 1. LOB -- Buffalo 6, Richmond 7. 2B -- Canizares (2), Jones (4). HR -- Gonzalez (1), Snyder (1). SB -- Borchard (1).

Buffalo	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
Ginter	5	3	1	1	0	3
Rundles L 1-1	3	6	4	4	0	3
Richmond
Reyes	5	1	0	0	2	6
Stockman	1.1	1	2	2	2	3
Ridgway W 1-0	2	1	0	0	1	2
Schreiber	.2	1	1	1	1	2

Time -- 2:39. A -- 1,490 paid (939 actual).