When an offense records 11 hits in a game, one would expect more than two runs.
The Braves' bats again fail to deliver when they need to and the Pirates spoil their chance at winning the four-game series, beating the Braves 5-2.
Derek Lowe was looking to win his 11th straight decision against the Pirates, but they were able to spoil those plans, making him work some deep counts in the process. Lowe threw 80 pitches through the first four innings, and gave up a game-tying RBI single to his counterpart Kevin Correia in the second inning. The Braves had taken the early lead with an RBI double by Eric Hinske in the first.
After a rain delay, Lowe continued to struggle, giving up three straight hits to start the fifth inning including Andrew McCutchen's RBI double. A run-scoring ground out gave the Pirates a 3-1 lead. This would be Lowe's final inning; he allowed eight hits while striking out five.
Atlanta cut the lead to one in the sixth when Freddie Freeman doubled and later scored on Ronny Cedeno's throwing error when Dan Uggla singled. The Braves put up no significant threat after that, and were only 2 for 9 with RISP in the game.
McCutchen's two-run homer in the ninth off George Sherrill sealed the game. Joel Hanrahan picked up his 30th save.