Omar Luna, Christian Bethancourt, Jose Martinez and Robby Hefflinger each had two hits at the top of Mississippi's lineup as the Braves captured the series opener with an 8-2 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts on Wednesday.
The Lookouts pulled within 2-1 in the fourth inning when Jon Garcia singled to left to score J.T. Wise, but the Braves blew it open with a three-run fifth as Bethancourt had a two-run double to right and Hefflinger a home run to right.
Chattanooga dropped to 10-10 in the Southern League's second half and to 45-45 overall.
Game two of a five-game series in Mississippi is tonight at 8 EDT.
Steve Smith (1-2, 4.94) is scheduled to start for the Lookouts, with Michael Lee (4-6, 4.33) scheduled for the Braves.