Braves 8, Padres 3: Chris Johnson and Ryan Doumit each drove in two runs during a sixth-run third, and Mike Minor pitched into the seventh inning as host Atlanta won its second in a row.

Johnson’s two-run double and Doumit’s two-run single capped the early uprising against San Diego starter Eric Stults (3-13), keeping the Braves within 1 ½ games of first-place Washington in the National League East. Minor (4-6), who had allowed 12 runs on 21 hits in his past two starts, gave up three runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings with six strikeouts.

Yangervis Solarte finished with two hits, including a solo homer, and Rene Rivera added a bases-empty shot for the Padres. Stults gave up six runs on six hits with five strikeouts in six innings, retiring 10 of the final 11 hitters he faced.

Solarte’s first homer in a San Diego uniform, after belting six with the Yankees before being acquired earlier this week in the Chase Headley deal, put the Padres ahead 1-0 in the third. The Braves responded by sending 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the frame with Andrelton Simmons’ double to right and Tommy La Stella’s RBI single putting Atlanta ahead 2-1.

After Justin Upton struck out with the bases loaded for the second out of the inning, Johnson lined a double down the right-field line and Doumit followed with a solid single to left to push the lead to 6-1. Rivera’s eighth homer of the season in sixth and Tommy Medica’s single off Anthony Varvaro in the seventh brought San Diego within 6-3, but Justin Upton’s two-run double in the seventh re-established a five-run advantage.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Minor has allowed 16 homers this season; 12 have been solo shots. … San Diego SS Alexi Amarista snapped a 3-for-27 skid with three hits. … Atlanta C Gerald Laird extended his hitting streak to seven games with a leadoff double in the third.