Mike Minor pitched well, the Braves took advantage of some early run scoring opportunities and the bullpen sealed the deal in a 5-1 victory on Tuesday night, the third straight win for Atlanta.
Minor had the best start of his young career and allowed just one run on five hits throughout seven innings. He set down nine of the last ten batters he faced, which is no easy task against a Toronto lineup that typically pounds left-handed pitchers. The lefty kept his fastball and changeup down for most of the evening and broke out an occasional slider to keep hitters honest.
Zach Stewart started for Toronto and he didn't fare nearly as well as Minor. He was probably honest to make it through 3.2 innings and control was an issue all night. He allowed ten hits and three walks and only struck out two. Not a good night for the rookie, who was making the second start of his career.
The Braves trailed briefly on Tuesday night, but Chipper Jones drove in Jordan Schafer to tie the score in the first inning. Brian McCann hit a 2-run bomb that went ten rows deep in the right-center field stands to make the score 3-1. Alex Gonzalez drove in Dan Uggla with a double and Jason Heyward added an insurance run in the fourth inning with a line drive up the middle.
Eric O'Flaherty made his return to the mound after missing a week with a sore back and worked a quick 1-2-3 inning. Jonny Venters came in the ninth and closed out the game, making quick work of the helpless Toronto bats.