Braves Snap 5 Game Losing Streak with Sunday Win over Pittsburgh

Left-hander Alex Wood quieted the Pirates into the eighth inning on Sunday as the Braves downed Pittsburgh, 2-1, to snap a five-game losing streak. Nick Markakis’ RBI single in the fifth and Jace Peterson’s solo homer in the seventh were all the help Wood needed to snap a three-decision losing streak. Wood allowed five hits in 7 1/3 innings, not issuing a walk while striking out eight. He allowed three runs or fewer for the 13th time in his 15 starts.
Andrew McCutchen, back in the Pirates’ lineup the day after leaving in the first inning when hit on the left elbow by a Julio Teheran pitch, had one single in four at-bats.
After Neil Walker’s one-out double in the eighth chased Wood, right-handed reliever Jim Johnson preserved the impressive start by quickly retiring Josh Harrison and Pedro Alvarez. Wood pitched around consecutive singles to begin the seventh and matched his season high with eight strikeouts. He concluded three of his first four strikeouts with his curveball, which proved quite effective during the early innings.
Locke makes early exit: Jeff Locke held the Braves hit-less through three innings, worked out of trouble in the fourth, gave up one run in the fifth — and was gone from a 1-0 game in the sixth. His pitch count was up to 94, yet it still seemed to be an early dismissal — especially since his spot led off the bottom of the sixth, an ideal pinch-hitting situation.
Peterson’s seventh-inning lead off homer provided a necessary insurance run for the Braves, who saw the Pirates cut the deficit to one run when Jordy Mercer drilled a two-out RBI double in the ninth. Left fielder Eury Perez exited after colliding with Cameron Maybin while attempting to catch Mercer’s drive just in front of the left-center field wall. Former Pirates closer Jason Grilli recovered to retire Gregory Polanco for the game’s final out.
Shelby Miller will take the mound when Atlanta begins a three-game series against Washington on Tuesday night at Turner Field. Miller has posted a 0.85 ERA in five career starts against the Nationals. First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m. CT and Thunder Radio will broadcast the game beginning at 6:00 PM.