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Pirates clinch playoff spot, beat Braves 3-2

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer (10) forces out Atlanta Braves Emilo Bonifacio at second base on a ball hit by Phil Gosselin during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer (10) forces out Atlanta Braves Emilo Bonifacio at second base on a ball hit by Phil Gosselin during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer (10) forces out Atlanta Braves Emilo Bonifacio at second base on a ball hit by Phil Gosselin during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

By Associated Press 1 min read

ATLANTA (AP) – Gerrit Cole retired the final 17 hitters he faced, and the surging Pittsburgh Pirates clinched a spot in the playoffs with a 3-2 win over the free-falling Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.

The Pirates’ win combined with Milwaukee’s loss to Cincinnati assured Pittsburgh of no worse than an NL wild card. The Pirates wrapped up their berth exactly one year after clinching a place in the 2013 playoffs.

They reacted to the final out on Tuesday with little emotion. The Pirates exchanged high-fives in a line on the field before sharing hugs in front of their dugout.

Starling Marte gave Pittsburgh the lead with a sixth-inning double. The Pirates, who are still chasing St. Louis for the NL Central title, have won 11 of 13.