Sat May 10 21:49:18 2008

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Pirates beat Braves

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Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Jason Bay homered, scored two runs and knocked in a pair to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a quick 5-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the second meeting of a four-game set at PNC Park.

Ronny Paulino drove in three runs, while Jason Michaels went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in his first start for the Pirates, who have won five straight affairs.

Starter Tom Gorzelanny (3-3) was solid in 7 1/3 innings, scattering seven hits and two runs while striking out four, and Matt Capps pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his ninth save for the victors.

Chuck James (2-2) was called up from Triple-A Richmond to start for Atlanta, but the left-hander was rudely welcomed back to the big leagues, surrendering five runs on five hits and four walks in his six innings of work.

Mark Teixeira accounted for the Braves runs with a two-run homer to highlight his 2-for-3 effort at the plate, while Omar Infante tallied three hits for the Braves, who have dropped two straight following a six-game winning streak.

Gorzelanny's only mistake came in the first when Teixeira drilled his fifth home run of the season over the left field wall on an 0-1 fastball. Chipper Jones scored on the play and the Braves jumped out to a two-run lead.

The Pirates got a run back in the second when Paulino's fly to center field proved to be deep enough to score Bay from third.

Bay came calling again in the fourth, sending James' offering over the right center field wall with Michaels on first.

Michaels looked to be tagged out the pitch before the home run, as catcher Brian McCann threw behind the newly acquired Pirate at first. Teixeira appeared to tag out Michaels before he reached the bag, but he was called safe and Bay followed with his seventh round-tripper of the season.

Leading by three, the Pirates tacked on two more in the sixth with Paulino's two-run double. Michaels opened the frame with a single and LaRoche was intentionally walked with two outs. Paulino made the Braves pay for the move by roping a ball into the right-center gap for two more insurance runs.

Pittsburgh's defense helped out its staff by turning four double plays, and Freddy Sanchez's jumping catch over his right shoulder with two outs in the ninth put the finishing touches on a well-pitched ballgame.

Game Notes

Atlanta is just 4-13 on the road this season...James struck out seven in defeat...The game lasted just 2:10...Attendance was 28,141...The Pirates acquired Michaels and cash considerations from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later on Thursday...Jones, 0-for-6 in the series, had hit safely in 28 of 31 games coming into the four-game set...On Sunday, Zach Duke (1-2) starts for the Pirates while Jair Jurrjens (4-2) looks to get the Braves back on track.