Braves Pitcher Rob Whalen Gets Victory in First MLB Appearance

ATLANTA (AP) – Ender Inciarte broke a tie with an RBI single in the fifth inning and the offensively challenged Atlanta Braves had 15 hits to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-4 on Wednesday night.

Last in the major leagues in runs, the Braves crossed the plate eight times after the Pirates took a 4-0 lead in the first.

Pittsburgh, which began the day two games out of a wild-card spot, has lost four five. Atlanta improved to 17-39 at Turner Field, the worst home record in the majors.

Pirates starter Jeff Locke (8-7) blew the four-run lead and was chased on Inciarte’s single. He allowed nine hits, five runs, two walks and struck out one in 4 1-3 innings. Locke is 0-2 with an 11.91 ERA in his last three starts.

Atlanta scored two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh off Juan Nicasio, taking an 8-4 lead on Adonis Garcia’s RBI single, Matt Kemp’s sacrifice fly and Erick Aybar’s RBI triple.

Braves starter Rob Whalen (1-0), making his first career appearance, got the victory after.

Whalen gave up a three-run homer in the top of the first.

He went five innings, allowing four hits, four runs, four walks and he struck out five.

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