By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support local journalism.
Braves score 6 runs in 3rd, beat Padres 8-3
chrisjohnson.png

ATLANTA (AP) — Chris Johnson and Ryan Doumit each drove in two runs during Atlanta's six-run third inning and the Braves beat Eric Stults the San Diego Padres 8-3 on Sunday.

The Braves trailed 1-0 before roughing up Stults (3-13).

Back-to-back doubles by Gerald Laird and Andrelton Simmons started the inning. Tommy La Stella hit an RBI single that skipped between Stults' legs, Johnson had a two-run double before Doumit followed with a two-run single.

Yangervis Solarte led off the third with his first homer since his trade from the Yankees on Tuesday. Mike Minor (4-6) didn't allow another run until Rene Rivera's eighth homer with two outs in the sixth.

A few thousand fans arrived early to watch the Hall of Fame ceremonies on the Turner Field video board. Among the inductees were former Braves managers Bobby Cox and Joe Torre and pitchers Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux.

Minor allowed three runs and eight hits in 6 2-3 innings. Though far less than dominant, the start was an improvement after the left-hander gave up six runs in each of his last two outings. He had allowed at least four runs in four of his last five starts.

Stults gave up six hits in Atlanta's big inning and then allowed only one other baserunner on La Stella's sixth-inning walk. La Stella was caught stealing to end the inning.

Stults allowed six runs on six hits and two walks in six innings.

It looked like a long day for Minor when he had to duck to avoid being hit in the head by Chris Denorfia's line drive to lead off the game. With one out, Minor walked Tommy Medica before ending the inning with groundouts from Chris Nelson and Yasmani Grandal.

Minor left the game with two outs in the seventh and Denorfia on second base. Tommy Medica hit an RBI single off Anthony Vavaro to cut Atlanta's lead to 6-3.

Justin Upton hit a two-run double in the Atlanta seventh.

Doumit made his fourth start of the season in right field as manager Fredi Gonzalez rested Jason Heyward. Gonzalez said he'll give B.J. Upton a day off on Monday when Jordan Schafer starts in center.