Schafer ran in to make a tumbling catch of pinch-hitter Kevin Frandsens sinking liner in the eighth. There was a moment of silence before the game in honour of Braves fan Ronald Lee Homer Jr.

Sydney FC have corrected a slight wobble in their A-League season with a 2-0 defeat of depleted battlers Newcastle, but will have to raise the bar further in next weekends FFA Cup final rematch with Melbourne City.Two second-half moments of brilliance from Milos Ninkovic and substitute Bernie Ibini made up for a forgettable opening stanza and ensured the Sky Blues remain unbeaten and extend their lead at the top of the table to six points.Both sides had a woeful number of turnovers but the injury-ravaged Jets endured an unrewarding fight that leaves them in ninth and winless in seven games.Mark Jones side showed promise on the counter-attack and Andrew Hoole found space on the right flank, but the former Sky Blues winger was too often without support for it to manifest into anything meaningful.The difference was key moments, Jones said.We actually got ourselves in good areas in the first half and other times turned it over when we should have kept the ball.Sydney coach Graham Arnold hoped installing fresh legs and fresh minds into his starting XI would be the difference following two draws and Wednesdays FFA Cup final capitulation.Four changes is the most Arnold has made all campaign and it was telling two of the victims were marquees Bobo and Filip Holosko, whove struggled to maintain their searing early-season form.In their place skipper Alex Brosque, David Carney and youngster George Blackwood led the attack but lacked a cutting edge.First-time starter Milos Dimitrijevic was arguably Sydneys strongest performer despite having played just 12 minutes of A-League football this season.Dimitrijevic delivered a lovely through ball for Brosque early on and laid off the pass for Ninkovics 63rd-minute goal, though could not take credit for the marauding solo effort of his fellow Serb, who eased past three defenders and drilled home his fifth goal of the season.As Arnold began to ring the changes the impetus lifted though several chances were blown until Ibinis introduction.It was only his second A-League appearance since returning from a badly broken leg but the 24-year-old made it count with his first goal since the 2014-15 semi-final against Adelaide.Running out of space just wide of the penalty area, Ibini employed some slick footwork to weave around two Jets defenders before beating another and making two attempts at Jack Duncans goal, the second nestling into the corner.It wasnt an easy first half ... we got in the right areas to hurt them but the final pass, final decision let us down, Arnold said.We spoke at halftime about more composure in the final third and I thought we did that in the second half.Ben Kantarovski appeared set to join Newcastles ever-growing treatment table after exiting with a knee problem but Jones said the midfielder would be fine. 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The right-hander continued his late-season surge by winning his fourth straight start, Chris Johnson hit a two-run home run and the Atlanta Braves beat Philadelphia 3-1 Tuesday night. Entering the game, Medlen had a 5.85 ERA in his career against the Phillies. "To hold them to one run to me is an accomplishment because throughout my career Ive had trouble against them," Medlen said. "Whoever has been in a Phillies uniform, Ive had trouble with them." Medlen, who was 10-1 with a 1.57 ERA in 2012, including a 9-0 mark as a starter, lost five of his first six decisions this year. Medlen (10-10), who appeared to be in danger of being sent to the bullpen one month ago, evened his record for the first time since he was 1-1. The right-handers recovery has come at the perfect time for the Braves. In late July, Tim Hudson was lost for the season with a broken right ankle and Paul Maholm went on the 15-day DL with a bruised left wrist. "Hes been awesome," Johnson said. "Every one of these guys, ever since Huddy went down, it seems like every time they go out there its like theyre trying to prove something. Theyre doing an amazing job and were winning because of them." Though Maholm may be only one minor league rehab start away from coming off the disabled list, Medlens spot in the rotation appears more secure. He left after walking Erik Kratz to open the eighth, getting a standing ovation after allowing one run on five hits in seven innings. After David Carpenter pitched a perfect eighth and Craig Kimbrel earned his 37th save by recording the final three outs. Chase Utley had three hits for Philadelphia, including a one-out single off Kimbrel in the ninth. Kimbrel struck out Domonic Brown and ended the game on Darin Rufs popup to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Johnson gave Atlanta a 3-0 lead in the third inning with his homer off rookie Ethan Martin (1-2). Johnson leads the National League with his .337 batting average. Martin, a right-hander who lives in Toccoa, Ga., northeast of Atlanta, grew up cheering for the Braves. He needed Mondays opening game of the series to adjust to the idea of being a visiting player at Turner Field. "Yesterday, it was actually kind of weird being on the field and not in the stands after all the years Ive been to the games," Martin said.dddddddddddd"It was kind of fun yesterday, sitting in the dugout and doing different things. Today was pretty fun, also." Martin lost to Medlen and the Braves for the second time in only three major league starts. Martin took a 6-4 loss to the Braves in his debut on Aug. 2 and allowed three runs on six hits and two walks in five innings Tuesday night. He had six strikeouts. "I thought I was going to be a lot more amped up, have butterflies," Martin said. "It wasnt that bad, actually. I was kind of surprised." Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he liked the way Martin competed. "Martin battled them," Manuel said. "He stayed in there with them. He was aggressive, he went right at em, stuff like that. "He threw a lot of fastballs and Johnson finally timed one of them and that really hurt him." The Braves took the lead in the second. Tyler Pastornicky, recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett earlier in the day when Dan Uggla was placed on the 15-day disabled list, led off with a single and scored on Medlens two-out double over Ruf in right field. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Pastornicky will start at second base while Uggla misses at least two weeks to have Lasik eye surgery. Johnsons homer in the third drove in Justin Upton, who doubled. Ruf, sprinting toward the infield, made a diving catch of Medlens shallow pop fly in the seventh. Braves centre fielder Jordan Schafer ran in to make a tumbling catch of pinch-hitter Kevin Frandsens sinking liner in the eighth. There was a moment of silence before the game in honour of Braves fan Ronald Lee Homer Jr. of Conyers, Ga., who died after falling 85 feet from the stadium to a parking lot during Monday nights game. Players from both teams bowed their heads as Homers picture was shown on the video board. Atlanta police are investigating Homers death. NOTES: Maholm will make a minor league rehab start with Class A Rome on Saturday. He has been out since July 21 with a bruised left wrist. ... Phillies RHP Roy Halladay (right shoulder inflammation) will pitch in a minor league rehab game on Thursday in Clearwater, Fla., for the Gulf Coast Phillies. ... Braves RHP Brandon Beachy will make his fourth start in his return from Tommy John surgery when he faces Phillies LHP John Lannan on Wednesday night. ' ' '