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Braves use big third inning to top Padres

Jul 28, 2014 - 1:02 AM Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Atlanta collected six hits during a six-run third inning and the Braves took down the San Diego Padres, 8-3, in the third installment of a four-game series.

B.J. Upton went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored while Justin Upton, Chris Johnson and Ryan Doumit all drove in two runs in the triumph. Atlanta had lost four of six.

Mike Minor (4-6) won at home for the first time since May 19, ending a five- start winless spell at Turner Field. He was charged with three runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings.

"Felt good to get a win. To go six innings plus was a lot better than the three or four that I've been throwing," Minor said. "I just feel good right now would be going deeper in the game and giving the bullpen a break.

Yangervis Solarte and Rene Rivera both homered for San Diego, losers in two straight following a three-game win streak. Solarte, who was acquired from the Yankees earlier in the week in a deal that sent former All-Star Chase Headley to the Bronx, hit his first blast with his new team.

Eric Stults (3-13) lost his major league-leading 13th game after yielding six runs in six innings of work. He didn't allow a hit besides the third inning.

Solarte opened the scoring in the visiting third with his solo homer to left.

Gerald Laird and Andrelton Simmons countered with consecutive doubles to open the bottom of the inning to tie the score at 1-1. Minor tried to move Simmons to third and struck out, but B.J. Upton singled to place runners on the corners for Tommy La Stella, who put Atlanta in front with a base hit to center. Freddie Freeman then walked to load the bags and with two outs, Johnson plated two with his double to right. Doumit capped the flurry with a two-run single.

"I think stuff was the same," Stults said when asked about the third inning. "I executed a few pitches but just didn't get outs. That's the way this game goes. It's frustrating to feel you threw the ball well but the result didn't really show it."

San Diego trailed 6-1 at that point but chipped away, getting a run back in the sixth on Rivera's solo homer. Tommy Medica singled home a run in the seventh inning to cut the deficit in half.

Justin Upton's double with the bases loaded a half inning later once again made it a five-run game.

Game Notes

Atlanta went 6-for-9 with runners in scoring position ... Seth Smith, who is 11-for-17 over his last five games, was given the day off and went 0-for-1 as a pinch-hitter ... Stults fell to 0-9 on the road ... Alexi Amarista had three of San Diego's 10 hits.