New York Yankees manager Joe ... Brock Jersey Girardi says baseball ''has a way of evening out.''

Following a sluggish end to a homestand that cost the Yankees the AL East lead, things evened out for their bats in a big way against the Braves.

Jacoby Ellsbury hit a three-run homer, Chase Headley and Stephen Drew Joe Maddon Jersey''This is a confident group.''

The U.S. flag at Turner Field flew at half-staff and a moment of silence was observed before the game in memory of Gregory K. Murrey.

Murrey, a Braves season-ticket holder, died after falling from the upper deck to the lower-level seats on Saturday night. He was 60.

The Braves displayed a[url=http://www.officialraysshop.com/authentic-20-matt-joyce-jersey.html]http:/... photo of Murrey on the video board during the moment of silence.

After the Braves cut the lead to 8-5, pinch-hitter Alex Rodriguez drove in two with a bases-loaded single in the Yankees' nine-run seventh inning.

''It's been a while since we swung the bats like this, so hopefully we can set the tone for September,'' Rodriguez said.

Despite the sweep, the Yankees gained no ground on AL East-leading Toronto, which beat Detroit 9-2. The Blue Jays still lead New York by 1 1/2 games.

The Braves have lost five straight and 12 of 13. They've dropped nine consecutive interleague games since a win over Boston on June 17.

''They just kicked our butts,'' said first baseman Freddie Freeman, who had two hits and drove in a run. ''The whole series. ... That's what that lineup is capable of doing.''