Pirates, Bell down Braves

Pittsburgh takes series over Atlanta

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

If the Atlanta Braves needed more reason to pursue free agent pitcher Dallas Keuchel, they may have gotten it on Thursday.

Mike Foltynewicz allowed consecutive home runs to Colin Moran and Gregory Polanco in the second inning of a 6-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, another subpar outing for the 2018 All-Star.

Foltynewicz (1-5) has allowed 15 home runs, one shy of NL leader Kyle Freeland of Colorado. He gave up three runs, six hits and one walk in six innings.

Moran gave the Pirates a 2-1 lead with a two-run drive above the Clemente Wall in right field, his eighth home run this season. Three pitches later, Polanco sent a curveball into the last row of the right-field seats.

Josh Bell had three doubles, increasing his major league-leading total to 25, and had two RBIs to take sole possession of the big league lead with 58.

Chris Archer (3-5) gave up one run and six hits in six innings, a turnaround after he yielded at least three runs in each of his previous five starts.

“It was nice to get a series win against a really good club, a really good lineup,” Archer said. “I think it did something for this clubhouse. We’re looking forward to rolling into Milwaukee with that swagger that we have.”

Felipe Vazquez got four outs for his 15th save in 16 chances. After Atlanta loaded the bases in the ninth on a single and a pair of walks, Vazquez struck out Dansby Swanson on three pitches for the final out.

Bell hit a two-run double off Jacob Webb in the bottom half and scored on Elias Diaz’s double.

Freddie Freeman put Atlanta ahead in the first with his 16th home run.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: RHP Trevor Williams (right side strain) is tentatively scheduled to make his first minor league injury rehabilitation start on June 13. ... LF Corey Dickerson (right shoulder strain) said he is traveling with the team to Milwaukee but he does not know when he will be activated from the IL.

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Rookie Davis (0-0, 5.87 ERA) will make his first start with Pittsburgh to start a 10-game trip at Milwaukee. The former Cincinnati prospect hasn’t started in the majors since Sept. 20, 2017. He was 1-3 with a 5.35 ERA in seven starts in Indianapolis.