ATLANTA – After being left off the Atlanta Braves’ postseason rotation last fall, Julio Teheran has re-emerged as a reliable leader on a young staff.
Teheran’s roll of superb starts is a big reason his team is back in first place and making a run at repeating as champion in the National League’s East Division.
Josh Donaldson drove in the tiebreaking run in Atlanta’s five-run fifth inning to win his rematch with Joe Musgrove, and Teheran allowed only one earned run Thursday as the Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5 to complete a four-game sweep at SunTrust Park.
The Braves have won seven straight to move into the division lead, 1 1/2 games ahead of idle Philadelphia. The Phillies will visit the Braves to start a three-game series Friday night.
Teheran (5-4) opened Thursday’s game with two walks and needed 27 pitches to survive the first inning. He recovered, lasting six innings while giving up only three hits. He has allowed no more than one earned run in his past eight starts.