Pedro Alvarez and Yamaico Navarro led the way, both hitting two run homers. Neil Walker had three hits and drove one in, Navarro added another RBI on a groundout and singled giving him a two for four night. Every other starting position player registered a hit.
James McDonald was on the mound and was dealing. After giving up a two-run homer to Freddie Freeman in the first, he threw 7.2 innings and struck out a Pirates season high 10. He gave up seven hits and allowed three runs. He was efficient in walking just two batters. McDonald has looked phenomenal this year. Chris Resop pitched the final 1.1 innings and gave up a hit and struck out a batter.
The Pirates come out of Atlanta with a split, which you can’t complain about. Now they travel to St. Louis to play a three game set with the division leading Cardinals. After that they come home for a nine game home stand.