Pirates 4 - 2 Braves
Final
  for this game

Bedard tries to find win column as Pirates battle Braves

Apr 28, 2012 - 2:44 PM

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(Sports Network) - Wins have certainly been hard to come by in the last calendar year for Erik Bedard, and tonight the lefty aims for his first victory in a Pittsburgh uniform as the Pirates and Braves play the second portion of a four-game series from Turner Field.

Bedard has received just two runs of support in his first four starts while giving up seven earned runs in 24 innings of work. His most recent start was a 5-1 loss to the Cardinals at PNC Park last Sunday.

Before being signed as a free agent by the Pirates in December, Bedard endured a rough second half of 2011 with just one victory after June 15. All told, he has lost nine of his last 10 decisions going back to last season.

On the positive side, Bedard has a 1.90 ERA in 21 career starts against NL teams. He's 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in two career starts when facing the Braves.

Randall Delgado counters on the mound for the hosts. The 22-year-old right- hander threw 5 1/3 innings in a loss at Arizona on Sunday. He's never faced the Pirates.

Last night, Dan Uggla and Chipper Jones each knocked in a pair of runs as the Braves won, 6-1. Martin Prado and Tyler Pastornicky added an RBI apiece for the Braves, who earned their third straight victory.

Tommy Hanson allowed one run on six hits and three walks over six innings to earn the win.

"He probably didn't have his best stuff he's had before, but he got through it and gave us a really good chance to win the ball game," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Kris Medlen tossed three shutout innings to earn his first career save.

Braves catcher Brian McCann was replaced by David Ross in the sixth inning after McCann suffered a right intercostal strain in the fifth inning while throwing out Alex Presley on a steal attempt.

A.J. Burnett gave up two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out eight in Pittsburgh's fourth loss in seven games.

"No matter what you're going to give hits up. You're going to make good pitches and give up hits and you just have to stick with it," Burnett said. "You're always one pitch away from getting out of a jam."

Presley has hit safely in a career-best 11 straight games.

The Braves have won 11 of their last 16 against the Pirates, including six of eight in Atlanta.






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