Series 17: at Pittsburgh

May 23
Off day. Actually, two off days sandwich a two-game set in Pittsburgh.

May 24
Julio Teheran vs. Ross Ohlendorf

The game seemed over even before the bullpens allowed a combined eight runs to make a close one become a bit of a shootout. Julio Teheran went six scoreless, lowering his ERA to 1.25 and allowing five hits, a walk, and striking out five. His first hit allowed, a double to open the bottom of the first, was the only extra base hit.

Atlanta led before that, though. Jason Heyward, batting leadoff to take advantage of his high on-base skills in Nate McLouth's absence, homered to start things. The Braves would add a pair in the fifth as Alex Gonzalez doubled and Drew Macias, getting a start in center, singled him in. Martin Prado would single in Macias to make it 3-0.

The bullpens led the game get a little nutty in the final two frames. After Atlanta scored two on a Dan Uggla homer in the 8th, the Pirates pushed two across in the bottom half. Atlanta then added three more to pull away in the 9th, though the Pirates did score one off Scott Linebrink to climb a little closer.

8-3 WIN (27-23, W2)
W - J. Teheran (2-1)
L - R. Ohlendorf (2-6)

Meanwhile, on the farm, Mike Minor kept up his recent solid string of games with eight great innings. He walked two and struck out eight while allowing a run. He will be ready to make his next start in Atlanta.

May 25
Brandon Beachy vs. Paul Maholm

The Atlanta right-hander, Brandon Beachy, breezed through the first five innings even after an error led to an unearned run in the third, but it all came crashing down in the sixth when he gave up four of his five hits, two more runs, and only George Sherrill saving him with the bases loaded kept it from being worse as Atlanta falls miserably yet again.

The Braves had a chance late. Joel Hanrahan got the call and immediately walked Dan Uggla. Brian McCann doubled and the comeback looked to be on. After an Alex Gonzalez flyout scored a run, Jason Heyward smacked one deep, but the wind had been killing balls all night and it landed harmlessly in a Pirates glove. Pinch-hitter Drew Macias flew out to end it.

Eric O'Flaherty picked a perfect eighth, but left with an injury. Two errors on throws to Willy Aybar occured that may have been avoided had the Braves started Freddie Freeman against southpaw, Paul Maholm. Aybar did have two singles. Chipper Jones added two hits and the other RBI.

4-2 LOSS (27-24, L1)
W - P. Maholm (6-1)
L - B. Beachy (2-6)
SV - J. Hanrahan (12)