Tommy Hanson went six strong innings as Atlanta won for the 13th time in 16 games.
ATLANTA- The hot hitting continued for the Atlanta Braves on Friday night, scoring 6 runs on 10 hits, and defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1. The Bravos have won 13 of their past 16 games, and are on the heels of the surprising Nationals in the National League East.
Tommy Hanson went 6 solid innings allowing six hits and one earned run pushing his record to 3-2 with a 3.00 ERA on the young season. Kris Medlen picked up right where Hanson left off, holding the Pirates hitless over three innings, picking up the three-inning-save.
Hanson’s counterpart, A.J. Burnett, had a quality outing, pitching six innings and allowing two earned runs. Burnett’s eight strikeouts kept the Pirates in the game until he departed after six. The Braves beat on the Pirates pen getting four runs in 2 innings against Tony Watson and Evan Meek.
Dan Uggla’s bases loaded double in the 7th, finally gave the Braves some cushion pushing the score from 2-1 to 4-1. Chipper Jones followed with a two-run single putting the game out of reach.
The defenses for both teams were outstanding, especially from the Braves. Uggla made probably the best play of the year for the Braves on Friday, as he leaped into shallow center, and stumbled over shortstop Tyler Pastornicky before making a play. Chipper Jones contributed with the leather, turning an important double play and laid out for a ball in the eighth.
A big concern for the Braves is catcher Brian McCann, who left the game early after five innings with a strained right side. McCann is listed day-to-day.
The four-game series will continue Saturday, April 28th, at 7:10 p.m. Erik Bedard will likely be on the hill for the Pirates while Atlanta will send Randall Delgado to the mound.
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