By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Oakland Athletics lost to the Atlanta Braves 4-3 on Sunday night. The win completed the Braves’ sweep of the A’s in the three game series. The loss was the A’s fifth in a row and it kept them from retaking the lead in the AL West from the Angels.

The loss was also John Lester’s first defeat as member of the Oakland A’s. Lester (13-8) worked 6.0 innings giving up four runs (3 earned) on six hits. Lester’s downfall on Sunday night was the long ball. He gave up two home runs that accounted for the three earned runs. Lester’s cut fastball was not fooling the Braves’ hitters.

Mike Minor (5-8) had a quality start for the Braves. He threw 7.0 innings giving up two runs (both earned) on four hits. Minor struck out seven and walked two hitters. He issued two home runs.

Craig Kimbrel entered to close out the game for Atlanta. He threw 99-100 mph fastballs and 88 mph breaking balls. Kimbrel struck out two on his was to his 37th save of the season.

Nate Freiman put the Athletics on the board first with a no doubt about it 459-foot home run to straight-away center off Mike Minor in the top of the second inning. It was Freiman’s third home run of the season.

The Braves came back to the tie the game in the bottom of the second inning. Justin Upton hit a lead-off single to center off Jon Lester. Chris Johnson then hit a sharp liner to the third baseman Josh Donaldson. Donaldson threw to first base in an attempt to double-up Upton. The ball hit Upton and rolled into the Braves dugout. That caused Upton to be placed at third base. Evan Gattis hit a single to right field that allowed Upton to score the tying run. The score was tied 1-1 after two innings of play.

The Braves took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Phil Gosselin led off the inning with a single to right field. With one out, Justin Upton came to the plate with a runner on at first. Upton took a 0-2 cut fastball from Lester over the left field wall for a two run home run (23). The Braves led the A’s 3-1 after four innings.

The A’s made it a one run game in the top of the seventh inning when Nate Freiman took a slider from Minor over the left field fence for his second home run of the night. The A’s trailed the Braves 3-2 after six and one-half innings.

The Braves struck back in the home half of the seventh inning. Chris Johnson led off the inning by taking a 2-1 Lester cutter over the fence in left field giving the Braves a 4-2 lead. When Evan Gattis followed up with a single and that was the end of Lester’s night on the mound. Dan Otero came on in relief and closed out the inning. After seven complete innings, the Braves led the A’s 4-2.

Sam Fuld was brought in as a pinch hitter for Otero to lead off the top of the eighth inning. Fuld hit a 2-2 changeup from reliever Anthony Varvaro into center field. B.J. Upton misplayed the ball and Fuld moved to third on the double and an error. Coco Crisp hit a sacrifice fly to left that allowed Fuld to score. James Russell replaced Varvaro. Josh Donaldson singled off Russell but was stranded at first base. The A’s trailed the Braves 4-3 after the top of the eighth.

Kimbrel came out of the bullpen to record the save and to preserve the Braves’ victory.

The A’s have Monday off and then have a two game series with the Mets in Oakland that will be followed by a three series with the Los Angeles Angels at the Coliseum.