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Minor strong as Braves hold off Brewers

Apr 15, 2012 - 4:04 AM Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Mike Minor allowed just two hits over a career- high 7 1/3 innings, and the Braves held on for a 2-1 victory over Milwaukee to beat the Brewers in Atlanta for the seventh consecutive time.

The Braves, who have won four in a row following an 0-4 start, scored both of their runs in the second inning.

Minor (1-1) walked one batter and struck out four, while giving up an unearned run in the eighth. Jonny Venters escaped trouble later in the eighth and Craig Kimbrel got out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to record his fourth save of the year.

Shaun Marcum (1-1) was the hard-luck loser as the righty allowed three hits and two runs while walking a pair and fanning six over seven innings.

Brian McCann walked to start the Atlanta second, and one out later Jason Heyward grounded a hit into left-center field. Ryan Braun tried to get McCann out at third, but the throw caromed off the runner and into foul territory, accounting for the first run. Juan Francisco then doubled to the gap in right- center for the 2-0 margin.

It was a shaky start for Minor, who walked lead-off hitter Rickie Weeks and allowed a single to Carlos Gomez. Minor then fanned Braun and got Aramis Ramirez to ground into a double play.

Corey Hart was hit by a pitch to start the second, but Minor then retired the ensuing 18 batters until Jonathan Lucroy doubled with one out in the eighth.

"It was a lot of fun just because I got past the fifth inning and helped the team out, helped the bullpen out," Minor said. "You know we didn't have to use a lot of guys."

That spelled the end for the 24-year-old left-hander as Venters came on to replace Minor. Mat Gamel then hit a sinking line drive single to right, just in front of a diving Heyward. With runners at the corners, Cesar Izturis was up next and hit a bouncer near the mound. Venters threw home and Lucroy was tagged out by McCann.

Pinch-hitter Norichika Aoki followed by hitting a slow bouncer toward second base. Dan Uggla charged and barehanded the ball, but his throw was wide of first base, and the error sent Gamel home and moved runners to the corners. Venters, though, kept the lead by striking out Weeks.

Kimbrel walked Braun with one out and Ramirez singled to right field. Hart then walked to load the bases, but pinch-hitter George Kottaras was caught looking at strike three, and Gamel fanned to end the contest.

"Anytime they're close like that and a hit here or there can win a game for you, those are always fun games to be a part of," Marcum said.

Game Notes

The Brewers placed shortstop Alex Gonzalez on the paternity list as he traveled to Florida to be with his expecting wife, Johanna. Gonzalez was expected to return for Tuesday's home contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With Gonzalez away, the Brewers recalled infielder Eric Farris from Triple-A Nashville...The Brewers, losers of three in a row, have lost 15 of the last 21 against the Braves.