Braves 9, Pirates 2

Braves 9, Pirates 2
Eds: Optional
By TOM SALADINO
AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) -- Greg Maddux made it look easy against one of his favorite patsies as he moved toward another milestone in his march to 300 wins.
Maddux pitched into the eighth inning and within one victory of becoming the first major leaguer to win at least 15 games in 16 consecutive seasons as the Atlanta Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-2 Saturday night.
Gary Sheffield had three hits, including his 35th home run and drove in three runs, Chipper Jones had a three-run double, Rafael Furcal went 4-for-5 and scored twice and Vinny Castilla also went 4-for-5 with three doubles and an RBI in Atlanta's 16-hit attack.
Maddux (14-10) is currently tied with Cy Young, the only other pitcher to have achieved the feat of winning 15 games in 15 straight seasons.
"All those runs early helped. It made it easier," said Maddux, who showed little emotion regarding the record he's closing in on.
"We've still got a lot going on. It's not about me. We're just trying to get ready for the postseason and be at our best next month."
He allowed eight hits, two runs -- none earned -- in 7 1-3 innings, struck out five and didn't walk a batter in winning his 287th game, tying him with Bert Blyleven for 24th on the career list.
"When he gets that 15th win, it'll be a statement that he's the greatest pitcher of our generation," Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone said.
The only runs off Maddux came in the eighth inning and were unearned.
Craig Wilson led off with a single and Jose Hernandez followed with a potential double-play grounder to third, which Castilla mishandled for an error.
Maddux then struck out Carlos Rivera before Rob Mackowiak singled to load the bases. Tike Redman followed with an RBI single. Ray King relieved Maddux and Abraham Nunez added a run-scoring groundout before striking out Jeff Reboulet.
Maddux has won 11 straight over Pittsburgh since losing to them 2-1 on April 30, 1994.
"He had all his pitches working. He was the Maddux of old that I remember," said Pittsburgh outfielder Reggie Sanders, who played with the Braves in 2000. "The key to Maddux is to get him early. If you don't, he settles in and is dominating."
The Braves made it easy for Maddux, batting around in the first inning off Pittsburgh starter Jeff D'Amico (8-14) and scoring four runs.
Furcal led off for the Braves with a double. Marcus Giles singled Furcal to third and Sheffield walked to load the bases. Chipper Jones then cleared the bases with a three-run double. After a single by Andruw Jones, Matt Franco followed with a sacrifice fly to score Chipper Jones for a 4-0 lead
Atlanta added three runs in the fourth off D'Amico on an RBI double by Sheffield, who stole third and scored when catcher Jason Kendall's throw went into left field for an error. Castilla knocked in another in the inning with the second of his three doubles.
Sheffield added an RBI single in the fifth and a solo homer in the seventh, both off reliever Nelson Figueroa.
Maddux, a four-time NL Cy Young winner, is scheduled to make his next start on Thursday against Philadelphia and should have at least three more starts before the end of the regular season.
Maddux was 6-8 after losing to Florida on June 30, but has rebounded in the second half, going 8-2 and lowering his ERA under 4.00 for the first time this season Saturday (3.92).
D'Amico (8-14) went only four innings. The right-hander allowed 10 hits, seven runs, walked four and struck out four.
Notes: Atlanta RHP John Smoltz, on the 15-day DL with slight tendinitis of his right elbow, threw off the mound for the first time since going on the DL on Aug. 24. "He threw pretty good," said Mazzone, adding that Smoltz threw at about 80 percent. Smoltz, 0-2 with an 0.89 ERA and 44 saves in 47 chances, is eligible to come off the DL on Monday but will likely take more time off before the postseason. ... Chipper Jones, seeking his eight consecutive 100-RBI season, has 96 after knocking in three Saturday. ... D'Amico fell to 0-4 in seven career appearances against Atlanta. ... Pittsburgh manager Lloyd McClendon ran out of position players and had to use pitcher Joe Beimel as a pinch-hitter for pitcher Mike Lincoln with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning. Beimel struck out. He's 0-for-4 this season. "We had to use somebody," said McClendon. ... Maddux threw 78 pitches, 62 strikes. He didn't throw more than two balls to any hitter and didn't throw more than three balls in any inning.