Pirates finally solve Lowe

Associated Press

ATLANTA

Andrew McCutchen had three hits, including a go-ahead double in the fifth inning and a two-run homer in the ninth, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Atlanta Braves 5-2 on Thursday night for a split of the four-game series.

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.

The quick study must have helped. McCutchen had a first-inning single before snapping a 1-all tie with his fifth-inning double off Derek Lowe (6-9), who had been perfectly dominant against the Pirates.

McCutchen added his 15th homer, a two-run shot off George Sherrill, in the ninth.

Kevin Correia (12-8) gave up two runs on nine hits and a walk in 61/3 innings.

Joel Hanrahan got the final four outs for his 30th save in 31 chances. Hanrahan allowed a double to David Ross with one out in the ninth before ending the game with two quick outs.

Both starting pitchers remained in the game after a 47-minute rain delay in the fourth inning with the score tied 1-all.

Lowe gave up hits to the first three batters he faced in the fifth, including McCutchen’s double, which drove in Xavier Paul. Garrett Jones, who singled, scored on a groundout by Pedro Alvarez for a 3-1 lead.

Lowe gave up three runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings in his first career loss to the Pirates. The right-hander was 10-0 with a 2.64 ERA against Pittsburgh before Thursday night.