Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Minor (36) works in the first inning of a baseball game against Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, May 19, 2014 in Atlanta.ATLANTA - Freddie Freeman and Justin Upton homered to help Mike Minor win his second consecutive start, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-3 on Monday night.
Pinch-hitter Ryan Doumit also went deep for Atlanta in a matchup of first-place teams. The Braves, who had lost 12 of 18, never trailed in winning their second straight game.
Atlanta began the night with the fewest runs in the majors. But the Braves they banged out 15 hits and improved to 18-5 when hitting a home run.
Minor (2-2) gave up two runs and five hits with five strikeouts in 6 2-3 innings.
The Brewers have lost three straight and four of six.
Wily Peralta (4-3) allowed nine hits, a season-high four walks and three runs - two earned - with five strikeouts in five innings. The right-hander began the night 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA in three starts this month.