Upton's HR sends Braves over Reds 3-1 in 12th

CINCINNATI -- Justin Upton hit a two-run homer in the 12th inning Friday night, rallying the Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds after left-hander Mike Minor came up four outs short of a no-hitter.<br /> <br /> Upton's 25th homer off Manny Parra (0-1) gave Atlanta its seventh victory in eight games.<br /> <br /> David Hale (4-4) pitched out of a two-on threat in the 11th. Craig Kimbrel got the last three outs for his 38th save in 42 chances.<br /> <br /> The Reds managed only two hits - a pair of singles by Billy Hamilton - in their seventh consecutive loss. They fell seven games under .500 for the first time since 2009. Cincinnati (61-68) has dropped out of contention by going 10-24 since the All-Star break.<br /> <br /> Minor has only one complete game in his career, but he held the Reds without a hit into the eighth, bidding to become the first Braves pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Kent Mercker in 1994.<br /> <br /> Zack Cozart drew Minor's fourth walk and advanced on a groundout. Hamilton lined an RBI single to center with two outs to end the no-hitter on Minor's 107th and final pitch.<br /> <br /> Cincinnati's defense kept it in the game even though the Reds couldn't get a hit until late.<br /> <br /> Mat Latos gave up nine hits - matching his season high - but limited the Braves to one run in six innings with the help of several run-saving defensive plays.<br /> <br /> Upton extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a single, helping the Braves load the bases with one out in the third. Cozart saved at least one run by making a diving stop on Tommy La Stella's grounder to the hole at shortstop and getting a forceout at second, holding Atlanta to one run on the play.<br /> <br /> Second baseman Brandon Phillips saved two more runs in the sixth. With runners on second and third and two outs, he made an over-the-shoulder catch of Jason Heyward's fly to shallow right field.<br /> <br /> Atlanta (68-61) stranded six runners in scoring position over the first six innings.<br /> <br /> TRAINER'S ROOM<br /> <br /> Reds: LHP Tony Cingrani is still having problems with his left shoulder, preventing him from throwing. He was on the DL in May with a sore shoulder, struggled after his return and was optioned to Triple-A Louisville, where his shoulder began bothering him again.<br /> <br /> ON DECK<br /> <br /> Braves: Ervin Santana (13-6) has won his only other career start against the Reds, beating them 5-4 on April 25 at Turner Field.<br /> <br /> Reds: Mike Leake (9-11) is trying for his first win since Aug. 3. He's 0-2 with a no-decision in his last three starts.

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