Atlanta Braves’ Chris Johnson (23) hits a solo home run in front of Oakland Athletics catcher Derek Norris during their game Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014, in Atlanta.ATLANTA – Mike Minor needed a reason to believe he could work his way back to his 2013 form.
Beating Jon Lester could provide that confidence boost.
Minor pitched seven strong innings, Justin Upton and Chris Johnson homered and the Atlanta Braves beat the reeling Oakland Athletics 4-3 on Sunday night, ending Lester’s seven-game winning streak.
“That’s Mike Minor of old right there,” Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman said.
The Braves swept the three-game series, leaving the A’s with a five-game losing streak, their longest of the season. The A’s have lost seven of eight overall and trail the Angels, who lost to Texas on Sunday, by percentage points in the AL West.