Pirates rally to top Braves
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves keep talking about the need for a long winning streak instead of putting one together.
Freddy Sanchez and Jason Bay hit consecutive run-scoring singles in the eighth inning Tuesday night, rallying the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Braves 5-3.
"I thought we had the game," Braves manager Bobby Cox said.
Not quite.
Atlanta, which wasted a 2-1 lead, dropped 6½ games behind Cincinnati, the NL wild card leader. Following 14 straight division titles, the chances of making the playoffs are dwindling for the Braves (59-66).
Atlanta hasn't strung together three straight home wins since May 15 to 18, when the Braves won four straight at Turner Field.
The home frustrations come one year after the Braves tied for the NL's best home record at 53-28. With Tuesday night's loss, they are 26-32 at Turner Field, the second-worst home mark in the NL.
"Regardless of whether it's at home or on the road, it's a loss, but the home thing is frustrating," Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche said. "We've all said that. Losing at home can be a little harder."
Even with the win, the Pirates have the NL's worst road record at 16-48. The Pirates had lost eight of their previous nine road games.
Danys Baez (5-6) gave up one-out walks to Chris Duffy and Jack Wilson in the eighth, and Sanchez and Bay followed with consecutive singles that put the Pirates ahead 3-2. Sanchez and Bay had been a combined 0-for-13 in the series before their hits — both grounders to right field.
Cox said Baez was sweating so heavily the ball was wet when he took it from the reliever.
"It's hard to throw the ball when it's wet," Cox said. "I think that had something to do with it."
Xavier Nady and Ronny Paulino added RBI singles for a 5-2 lead.
"I don't look at it as wins on the road or wins at home," Sanchez said. "We set ourselves up to try to win the series."
Damaso Marte (1-7) earned his first win since May 24, 2005, by recording one out in the seventh. He had lost his previous eight decisions.
Pirates starter Shawn Chacon gave up one run, three hits and five walks in five innings, hitting two batters.
