Pirates Blank Braves Behind Duke, LaRoche

Pittsburgh, PA (AHN) - Zach Duke held Atlanta scoreless through six innings, Adam LaRoche delivered a two-run blast and Pittsburgh blanked Atlanta 5-0 in the first game of their doubleheader on Monday at PNC Park.

Duke dictated the pace from the onset although he did allow five walks and five hits. The Pirates also made four errors, twice on routine ground balls, but Duke fought it off with precision pitching against the Braves.

The lefty Duke improved to an even 2-2 while helping the Pirates win their fifth straight game. John Van Benschoten was to face Tim Hudson on the mound in the series finale later in the day.

Atlanta got eight hits but couldn't manufacture a run. Chipper Jones had three hits while Jeff Francoeur and Gregor Blanco each had two.

While LaRoche provided the huge assault in the eighth, it was Freddy Sanchez who got Pittsburgh going. The leadoff second baseman rifled in three runs with a double in the fifth, fueling the home team past Braves starter Jair Jurrjens (4-3).

Jurrjens had no one backing him up for five innings and took the loss following three earned runs, three hits, three walks and five strikeouts.

The Pirates had nipped the Braves in the first two games, winning by a combined score of 8-4. Sunday's third game was postponed, paving the way for a second double header in the nightcap.