Final
Pirates try to extend Braves' slump with series victory
Apr 21, 2013 - 1:36 PMVideo
The Braves won 10 straight games into the middle portion of this week, but have since dropped three of four - including two straight to Pittsburgh.
The Pirates pulled ahead in the series on Saturday, when Gaby Sanchez stroked a go-ahead two-run homer and James McDonald spun six innings of one-run ball in a 3-1 triumph.
Andrew McCutchen went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI and Jason Grilli struck out the side in the ninth to record his sixth save and preserve the win.
McDonald (2-2) was a bit unsettled early, but settled down and finished with nine strikeouts. He allowed just two hits and walked four.
"I felt confident in everything I did," said McDonald. "No negative thoughts entered my mind tonight."
The Pirates were able to knock former draft pick Paul Maholm (3-1) from the ranks of the unbeaten. Maholm had not allowed a run in his first three starts, but surrendered three in the sixth to absorb the loss.
The Braves were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and managed just four hits.
Jonathan Sanchez, a 13-game winner with the San Francisco Giants in 2010, has won just five times in 36 big-league appearances since, including two straight subpar starts with the Pirates, who he signed with in the offseason.
He made his Pittsburgh debut with five innings of six-hit, three-run ball in a 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 5, then followed it up when he surrendered nine runs in 3 1/3 innings of a 10-2 rout at Arizona on April 10.
He's 1-3 in nine career games - including seven starts - against Atlanta, while allowing 21 runs in 34 2/3 innings.
Sanchez has split two career decisions at PNC Park with a 5.91 ERA.
Atlanta goes with righty Kris Medlen, who aims for a third straight quality start.
The 27-year-old, who was 10-1 a year ago, opened this season with a five- inning effort in a 2-0 loss at Philadelphia on April 4, then bounced back five days later to win at Miami, 3-2.
He turned in a quality start, but got a no-decision, while allowing an earned run on six hits in seven innings of the Braves' 6-3 defeat of Kansas City on April 16.
He's 2-0 in four career meetings with the Pirates while posting a 2.55 ERA across 17 2/3 innings.
Medlen's one career start at PNC Park yielded a no-decision after he gave up two runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.
The Pirates won four of seven games between the teams in 2012, while the Braves took four of six in 2011.
- ATLANTA: 2
PITTSBURGH: 4
Final
Apr 21 5:09 PM - Neil Walker advances to second, Garrett Jones advances to third and Travis Snider scored on a Luis Avilan wild pitch with two outs. Runners on second and third and Pedro Alvarez at the plate.
Braves 2, Pirates 4 Bot 7, 2 OutsApr 21 4:32 PM - Clint Barmes infield single to short scored Neil Walker with two outs. Runner on first and Justin Wilson due up.
Braves 2, Pirates 3 Bot 6, 2 OutsApr 21 3:59 PM - Clint Barmes single to right scored Russell Martin with none out. Runner on first and Jonathan Sanchez due up.
Braves 2, Pirates 2 Bot 2, 0 OutsApr 21 2:24 PM - Russell Martin double to left center scored Pedro Alvarez with none out. Runner on second and Clint Barmes due up.
Braves 2, Pirates 1 Bot 2, 0 OutsApr 21 2:23 PM - Andrelton Simmons single to right scored Reed Johnson with one out. On the play, Gerald Laird advances to second. Runners on first and second and Kris Medlen due up.
Braves 2, Pirates 0 Top 2, 1 OutApr 21 2:15 PM - Gerald Laird single to left scored Chris Johnson with one out. On the play, Reed Johnson advances to second. Runners on first and second and Andrelton Simmons due up.
Braves 1, Pirates 0 Top 2, 1 OutApr 21 2:11 PM - ATLANTA: 0
PITTSBURGH: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Apr 21 1:38 PM
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