ATLANTA – Adonis Garcia scored from second on an improbable stolen base attempt in the seventh inning and the Atlanta Braves beat the slumping Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 on Thursday night despite Ryan Vogelsong’s strong start.
Vogelsong allowed only one run in six innings his first start in more than two months. He left with the game tied 1-1.
Felipe Rivero (0-4) walked Garcia with one out in the seventh, and Garcia moved to second on Ender Inciarte’s single. Garcia, who has only two steals this season, broke for third base as the left-handed Rivero held the ball on the mound.
Rivero finally threw to third, but Jung Ho Kang dropped the throw for an error, allowing Garcia to score. Inciarte moved to second on the play and scored on Jeff Francoeur’s pinch-hit single to center field.
The Pirates, who began the night three games behind NL wild-card leaders Los Angeles and St. Louis, have lost five of six.