Pirates slip past Braves, 3-2
ATLANTA — Gregory Polanco’s eighth-inning single drove in Adam Frazier with the tiebreaking run, and the Pittsburgh Pirates recovered after blowing a two-run lead to beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 Friday night.
The first-place Braves, who have lost five of their past seven games, let their NL East lead shrink to two games over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jameson Taillon (11-9) gave up two runs on five hits in seven innings, his 17th consecutive start allowing no more than three earned runs.
Felipe Vazquez pitched out of trouble in the ninth for his 29th save in 33 opportunities. Camargo hit a one-out single up the middle, past a diving Josh Harrison, and advanced to second base on Kurt Suzuki’s single to right field. Camargo was forced out at third on a fielder’s choice before Vazquez struck out Dansby Swanson to end the game.
The Pirates led 2-0 after five innings before Taillon gave up home runs in back-to-back innings.
Braves rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. led off the bottom of the sixth with a drive into the right-field seats, his 22nd homer of the season. Johan Camargo led off the seventh with a homer to right.
Frazier, pinch-hitting for Taillon, led off the eighth by drawin a walk from Brad Brach (2-4) and moved to second when second baseman Ozzie Albies bobbled Starling Marte’s grounder for an error. Frazier scored the unearned run on Polanco’s single up the middle.
Corey Dickerson led off the second with a double down the rightfield line and scored on a single up the middle by Elias Diaz. Anibal Sanchez ended the second with three straight strikeouts to begin a stretch of retiring 12 consecutive batters.
Sanchez allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte made a leaping catch of a drive hit by David Freese to end the first inning.
On the injury front, Braves right-hander Peter Moylan aggravated his right forearm strain, ending his rehab assignment and hopes of returning this season. He was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.
Rene Rivera, a catcher obtained off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, will be among four or five players promoted to the Atlanta roster today, Braves manager Brian Snitker said. Right-hander Shane Carle, placed on the 10-day DL on Aug. 7 with right shoulder inflammation, may return to Atlanta’s bullpen, and Snitker said more players may join Atlanta after Gwinnett’s season ends Monday.