Bucs Beat Braves 3 Years Too Late

National League

The Pittsburgh Pirates only wish they could have beaten the Atlanta Braves like this when it counted - in the 1991 and 1992 National League playoffs.

John Smoltz’s second wild pitch of the sixth inning led to both Pittsburgh runs on the same play and the Pirates stopped the visiting Atlanta Braves’ nine-game winning streak with a 2-1 victory Wednesday at Three Rivers Stadium.

Steve Parris (2-2), worked over for 11 runs in 8-1/3 innings in his two most recent appearances, allowed five hits over seven innings in the third consecutive excellent start by a Pirates rookie.

Parris followed complete-game victories by John Ericks and Esteban Loaiza to strike out a team season-high nine, and possibly avoid a return to the minors. The right-hander had an 8.15 ERA in his first four starts.

The Pirates maintained their recent mastery of Atlanta. They were 9-3 against the Braves last season, 5-1 at Three Rivers Stadium.

Cardinals 4, Phillies 3

Philadelphia

Ray Lankford drove in two runs during a four-run sixth as St. Louis handed Philadelphia its fourth straight loss.

It was the Phillies’ ninth loss in the last 10 games and their 12th in 14 games.

Danny Jackson, who pitched six-plus innings, won his second straight game after losing his first nine.

Expos 3, Cubs 2

Montreal

Darrin Fletcher drove in two runs and Expos rookie Ugueth Urbina won his first major-league start as Montreal beat Chicago to snap a five-game losing streak.

The loss snapped Chicago’s four-game winning streak.