Freeman has perfect night for Gwinnett

First baseman Freddie Freeman is certainly making up for lost time.

Freeman smacked a pair of homers, drove in four runs and was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate to help Gwinnett defeat Norfolk, 8-3, on Thursday.

Freeman now has three home runs in his last two games, after going homerless in his first 13. The Braves' second-round pick in 2007 finished the four-game series against the Tides 7-for-16 with six RBIs.

The left-handed Freeman is seeking to rebound from a tough 2009 campaign, which was cut short in August by a wrist injury. The 20-year-old saw his home run total drop to eight combined with Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach and Double-A Mississippi, after slugging 18 the year before for Class A Rome.

Major League veteran Gregor Blanco collected three hits, including a double, and scored twice for the Braves (6-9), who took three of four from Norfolk.

Gwinnett's Tim Gustafson didn't factor into the decision after allowing three runs on six hits with two strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. Mariano Gomez (1-0) picked up the win in relief, allowing one hit and striking out one in 2 1/3 shutout innings.

Jeff Salazar extended his hitting streak to five games for the Tides (5-10) with a two-run homer in the third. Rhyne Hughes added a solo shot for Norfolk.

Orioles prospect Brandon Erbe (0-3) surrendered both of Freeman's homers. He allowed five runs on seven hits and struck out four in five innings for the Tides.