ATLANTA — Filling in for fan favorite Freddie Freeman, Matt Adams is doing everything he can to quickly endear himself to his new home crowd.

Of course, that’s easier to do when they’re actually in their seats.

Adams, a former Slippery Rock University standout, singled in the winning run with about 200 fans left at SunTrust Park for the ninth inning, lifting the Atlanta Braves over the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5 early Wednesday morning in a game delayed over three hours by rain.

The delay started in the top of the seventh inning and ended at 12:51 a.m. The game finished just before 2 a.m. — 6 hours, 15 minutes after first pitch.

After Pittsburgh scored twice in the top of the ninth, Atlanta got two runs in the bottom of the inning. Nick Markakis had an RBI double to tie it at 5, and after Matt Kemp was intentionally walked, Markakis scored from second on Adams’ single to left.

“It’s just a fun group of guys to play with,” he said. “They go about their business the right way, and you saw that tonight. We fought to the end, and it’s fun to be a part of.”

Adams has homered twice in three games since being acquired last Saturday from the St. Louis Cardinals to fill in for injured Freeman at first base.

Pirates closer Tony Watson (2-1) faced six batters in blowing the save in the ninth.

Atlanta has won nine of 12. Luke Jackson (1-0) got his first career win.

Jordy Mercer homered in the sixth inning and had a two-run single in the ninth off Braves closer Jim Johnson, giving Pittsburgh a brief 5-4 lead.