Polanco carries Pirates past Braves
PITTSBURGH -- Gregory Polanco went 4-for-4, scored twice and drove in a run Saturday, as the Pittsburgh Pirates evened their record with a 6-4 win over the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park.
Chad Kuhl (1-0), in a season debut that was pushed back from Thursday because of a rainout, allowed three runs (two of them earned) on five hits in five innings, with five strikeouts and six walks for the Pirates.
Tony Watson pitched the ninth for his second save.
Atlanta's R.A. Dickey (0-1) also made his first start of the season. The knuckleballer pitched 5 2/3 innings, charged with six runs, but only three of them earned, with four walks and four strikeouts.
The Pirates (2-2) came from behind twice in the first three innings and held a 4-3 lead through five innings, with three of the runs unearned because of errors.
In the sixth, Pittsburgh pinch-hitter Alen Hanson reached on an infield single, went to second on a wild pitch, to third on a passed ball and scored on another wild pitch for a 5-3 lead. Dickey walked two batters during that sequence and was lifted for Ian Krol, who gave up an RBI single to Polanco to make it 6-3.
The Braves (1-4) added a run in the eighth on Kurt Suzuki's sacrifice fly.
The Pirates are 11-4 in their past 15 home games against Atlanta.
In the first inning, Kuhl got out of a two-on, one-out jam when second baseman Adam Frazier snagged a liner and doubled off Dansby Swanson.
Kuhl wasn't as lucky in the second. Back-to-back singles and, after Jace Peterson struck out, an intentional walk to Kurt Suzuki loaded the bases. Dickey blooped a single to right, driving in Nick Markakis and Brandon Phillips to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead. With two out, Swanson walked to again load the bases, but Kuhl struck out Freeman.
Pittsburgh tied it in the bottom of the second on Jordy Mercer's two-out RBI single and a grounder by Kuhl that was booted by Braves third baseman Adonis Garcia, allowing Francisco Cervelli to score from third.
Atlanta made it 3-2 in the third when Garcia reached on a two-base error as center fielder Starling Marte and left fielder Gregory Polanco let the ball drop between them. Two outs later, Peterson tripled to right-center.
Pittsburgh took its first lead, 4-3, with one out in the bottom of the third. Phillips, who was at second base, dropped a grounder for an error, allowing Polanco to score after he doubled and advanced on a passed ball.
NOTES: Pittsburgh 3B David Freese did not start a day after he got drilled with a grounder. He said his collarbone was sore, affecting his swing, but said he would have been available off the bench. ... Atlanta LF Matt Kemp did not start a day after he left with right hamstring tightness. Manager Brian Snitker said Kemp likely is out until Tuesday, but he could be available to pinch-hit. ... 1B John Jaso started for the Pirates over 1B Josh Bell. Manager Clint Hurdle said that was because Jaso has experience facing knuckleballers, such as Braves starter R.A. Dickey.