By Rob Biertempfel

Published: Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 6:24 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Braves starter: LHP Mike Minor 4 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO

Pirates starter: RHP Kyle McPherson 4.2 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 3 SO, 1 HBP

Bombs away: Andrew McCutchen hit his second HR, a two-run shot to left.

Dangerous: As he slid home to score, Andrelton Simmons crashed into C Michael McKenry and upended him. A scary moment, but McKenry bounced back up and appeared to be fine.

Acrobatic: To get the final out in the long first inning, McKenry tracked Simmons' foul popup toward the Pirates' dugout and made the catch while teetering on the railing.

Stock up: In addition to his stout defensive work, McKenry singled, walked and drove in three runs.

Stock down: RHP Vin Mazzaro came in with two outs in the fifth inning and allowed five straight hits, inclduing a three-run homer by Simmons and a two-run blast by Freddie Freeman.

1. Pirates notebook: Melancon relishes rare save opportunity
2. Pirates outfielder Snider certainly proving to be (big) hit
3. Pirates notebook: Penguins jerseys in fashion for road trip
4. Pirates notebook: Morton could be back in early June
5. Pirates minor league notebook: Former 5th-round pick Glasnow shining in rotation
6. Improved depth could drive Pirates’ fortunes deep into season
7. Pirates notebook: McCutchen scratched with soreness in right knee
8. Pirates starters Locke, Wandy enjoying good fortune
9. Pirates notebook: NL Central not so soft after all
10. Pirates notebook: Botched popup shocks Martin
11. Biertempfel: Pirates lefty Locke settles into rotation

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.