Pirates 5 – Braves 2

W: Kevin Correia (12-8)
L: Derek Lowe (6-9)
S: Joel Hanrahan (30)

Andrew McCutchen had three hits, including a double in the fifth inning that gave Pittsburgh the lead and a two-run homer in the ninth, and the Pirates beat the Atlanta Braves 5-2 on Thursday night for a split of the four-game series.
The Pirates improved to 54-49 on the season and are 28-24 on the road.
Starter Kevin Correia (12-8) earned his 10th road victory and 12th victory of the season. Correia allowed 9 hits and 2 runs in 6 1/3 innings pitched.
Correia also drove in the Pirates first run of the game, on a shallow single to left scoring Lyle Overbay.
Joel Hanrahan earned save No. 30. The Pirates who battled and competed all series, are 5-5 through the first ten games of a tough 13 game stretch that ends this weekend with a three game set in Philadelphia.
McCutchen’s two-run homer in the ninth was his first homer since July 10th, a span of 13 games.
McCutchen had been 1 for 11 in the series, which included wins by the Braves in 19 and 10 innings, before meeting with manager Clint Hurdle before Thursday’s game. Hurdle said he asked McCutchen to compare video of his swing from recent games and when he was having more success.
Notes: The Pirates moved into a tie in second place with the Cardinals losing to the Houston Astros. The Milwaukee Brewers (57-49) lead the division by 1.5 games.