Mike Minor's phenomenal start on Tuesday night against the Yankees was ruined by awful pitching from the Braves' bullpen and some timely hitting from New York. Atlanta took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning on a three-run double from Matt Diaz and added on a run in the seventh, but the wheels came off after that.
Minor was great in his 7.1 innings of work, allowing just one run to score on five hits and a walk. He was pulled after surrendering a harmless one-out single to Derek Jeter in the eighth, leaving to a standing ovation at Turner Field.
Jonny Venters entered and gave up a seeing-eye single to Curtis Granderson. He then walked Mark Teixeira to load the bases. Venters fell behind Alex Rodriguez 3-0, but battled to make the count full. He threw a low fastball to A-Rod and the slugging third baseman did not miss it, lining a home run over the left field wall to tie the game. Robinson Cano then followed with a single, ending Venters' pathetic outing.
Cory Gearrin trotted in from the bullpen and allowed a two-run homer to Nick Swisher, giving the Yankees a 6-4 lead. Atlanta was unable to mount a rally in the eighth or ninth inning, dropping their third-consecutive game.
The loss marks the first time the Braves have lost when they've lead after six innings.
The two clubs will wrap up their series on Wednesday evening at 7:10.
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