Braves Shut Out For 6th Time This Month as They Lose 1-0 to Bucs

ATLANTA (AP) – Andrew McCutchen homered, Francisco Liriano won his fourth straight start and the Pittsburgh Pirates moved closer to a postseason berth, beating the Atlanta Braves 1-0 Monday night.

It was the 16th time the Braves have been shut out this year and the sixth time this month.

The Pirates, winners in 10 of their last 12, have a five-game lead over Milwaukee with six games remaining for both teams. Any combination of two Pittsburgh wins or Brewers losses will guarantee the Pirates at least a spot in the NL wild-card game for the second straight year.

The Pirates still have hopes of winning the NL Central, but they began the night 2½ games behind first-place St. Louis.

McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP, hit his 24th homer in the sixth off starter Aaron Harang.

Liriano (7-10) allowed three hits, walked four and struck out seven in six innings. He extended his consecutive scoreless streak to 28 innings.

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