Athletics 3 - 4 Braves
Final
  for this game

Minor, Braves edge A's

Aug 18, 2014 - 3:39 AM Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Mike Minor struck out seven Athletics in seven innings and the Atlanta Braves were 4-3 winners over Oakland in the finale of this three-game interleague series.

Justin Upton and Chris Johnson homered for the Braves, who completed a series sweep of Oakland and have won four of their last five games overall.

"We know we've still got a lot of work to do," said Upton. "But this is a good start. We played well this weekend. Hopefully we can carry it on the road with us."

Minor (5-8) picked up the win after surrendering just two runs on four hits.

Nate Freiman produced both runs with solo home runs for the suddenly slumping Athletics, who dropped their season-high fifth straight game to fall percentage points behind the Angels in the American League West standings.

"It was tough, but good teams go through tough stretches," Freiman said. 162 games. I'm confident that this is a tough enough group that's going to respond well."

Jon Lester (13-8) took his first loss since joining the A's, allowing four runs -- three earned -- on six hits over six innings. The southpaw hadn't lost since June 7 in Detroit when he was pitching for the Red Sox.

Freiman's solo home run in the top of the second inning traveled an estimated 459 feet, the longest home run by an Athletics player this season.

The 1-0 margin quickly vanished as Atlanta pushed a run across in the bottom of the frame. Justin Upton led off with a single, moved to third one batter later on Josh Donaldson's error and scored when Evan Gattis singled to right- center.

Justin Upton's two-run shot in the fourth inning proved to be the difference. Phil Gosselin led off the fourth with a single to right and after Freddie Freeman struck out swinging, Upton launched his 23rd of the year to left.

Freiman cut into the deficit with his second homer of the game in the top of the seventh, but Johnson restored a two-run advantage a half inning later with his solo shot.

Pinch-hitter Sam Fuld doubled to center in the eighth and advanced to third when the ball trickled under B.J. Upton's glove in center. Coco Crisp made it 4-3 with a sac fly.

Craig Kimbrel sealed it with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He picked up his 37th save of the year.

Game Notes

The Athletics have scored three runs or fewer in 13 of 17 games since trading Yoenis Cespedes to the Red Sox for Lester ... Minor had been 0-3 over his last six interleague starts ... Oakland finished 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.






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