Pirates lose in 11 to Braves

Photo by: Gene J. Puskar

AP

Photo

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Daniel McCutchen throws in relief of starter James McDonald in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. The Braves won 4-2 in eleven innings.

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Instead of leaving PNC Park elated after one of the best days of his career, Pittsburgh’s Steve Pearce was disappointed that he didn’t come through in the clutch.

Pearce homered for the first time in 20 months and went 3 for 5 with two RBIs Wednesday.

But he grounded into a double play with the bases loaded and one out in a tie game in the ninth inning and the Atlanta Braves earned a 4-2 win in 11 innings.

“I’m looking to a get a ball in the air there to get at least one run home but I rolled over on a pitch,” said Pearce, who matched career bests in hits and RBIs.

“It was frustrating. We were all set up to win the game and I did the last thing you’d want to do in that situation. The tough part is that I’d been swinging the bat well all day, but I couldn’t come through when I needed to the most.”

Brooks Conrad hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the 11th inning off Jeff Karstens (3-3) to lift Atlanta.

That capped a two-game sweep and handed the Pirates their third consecutive loss, despite another strong outing from James McDonald.

McDonald gave up hits to the first three batters of the game — including Chipper Jones’ RBI single that scored Jordan Schafer — but retired 11 of the next 12.

“You don’t want to let the game get out of hand,” McDonald said. “It’s my job to compete and allow the team to stay in the game.”

McDonald, who hadn’t allowed a run in either of his previous two home starts, allowed two runs and six hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Twenty of the 32 runs McDonald has allowed this season have come via the home run.

Pearce drove in Pittsburgh’s first run in 22 innings in the third with a single to left after Tabata had led off with a single and stole second.