Mike Minor's five runs in four-plus innings was too much for the Braves to overcome as the Brewers took their second straight in the series, 5-4.
Minor walked the first three batters in the first inning, which proved to be a sign of things to come for the left-hander. The Brewers scored two in the inning on a two-run single by Prince Fielder to tie and take the lead after the Braves scored a run in the first on a RBI double by Chipper Jones.
The Brewers scored their third run in the fourth on a Yuniesky Betancourt RBI double. They jumped to a four-run lead in the fifth on RBI singles by Fielder and Mark Kotsay.
Minor's final line was 4.1 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out two. The control issues were uncharacteristic for Minor, who posted a 2.43 BB/9 in 40 major league innings last year.
The Braves jumped on Brewers starter Marco Estrada early in the game, scoring a run in the first on the Chipper RBI single. They put two on in the second and one on in the third, but Estrada settled in and held the Braves scoreless through five. That changed in the sixth when back-to-back singles by Chipper and Brian McCann set up a three-run home run by Jason Heyward, bringing the Braves back to within a run.
However, the Braves never managed anything else. They were set down in order until the ninth, when Heyward walked to lead off the inning. After Alex Gonzalez struck out, Matt Young grounded into a force out that erased Heyward, and Eric Hinske flew out to end the game.
Heyward went 1-3 with the home run and three RBI, adding a walk. Chipper went 2-4 with a double and RBI. McCann added three singles in four trips.
Estrada went six innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out four. He didn't display much in the form of great stuff, but he showed good control and hit his spots for the most part. The few times he didn't hit his spots were when the Braves hit hard line drives. Zach Braddock, Kameron Loe and John Axford combined for three scoreless innings in relief.
Fielder led the Brewers with three hits and three RBI. Betancourt and Kotsay each had two hits and one RBI. Rickie Weeks went 1-3 with two walks, scoring twice.
In relief of Minor, Cristhian Martinez allowed one of his runs to score, but he pitched 1.2 scoreless innings. Eric O'Flaherty and Peter Moylan scattered hits over a scoreless inning apiece.
For more on the series, Braves fans check out Talking Chop and Brewers fans check out Brew Crew Ball.