Braves continue winning ways as Pirates collapse

Associated Press

ATLANTA

The Atlanta Braves keep winning in April.

They know how important that could be in September.

Tommy Hanson allowed one run in six innings, Dan Uggla and Chipper Jones came through in a four-run seventh that broke a close game open, and the streaking Braves defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 Friday night.

Atlanta won for the 13th time in 16 games after an 0-4 start. Those first four games are long forgotten, but not last year’s historic collapse that cost the Braves a spot in the playoffs.

“Everybody knows how important these games are,” Uggla said. “This will pay dividends in September.”

Hanson (3-2) worked around six hits and three walks, his only blemish an RBI single by Garrett Jones in the fourth. Kris Medlen worked the final three innings, earning his first career save. Uggla and Jones drove in two runs apiece in the seventh — and both contributed stellar defensive plays as well.

Burnett (1-1) went six innings for the Pirates, pitching well but not enough to prevent his eighth loss in nine career decisions at Turner Field.

“You’re always one pitch away from getting out of jams,” he said.

The Braves were clinging to a 2-1 lead when they broke it open against the Pittsburgh bullpen in the seventh. After Tony Watson gave up a single and walked consecutive batters to load the bases, the Pirates brought in right-hander Evan Meek to face Uggla.

Bad move. Uggla lined a double to right-center, two runs coming home to make it 4-1. Jones followed with a hit past the drawn-in third baseman, driving in two more runs.

Burnett matched Hanson’s line as far as hits (six) and walks (three).