Meanwhile, the Braves' hitters pounded five Pittsburgh pitchers for three home runs and four doubles.

He led off against the third Pittsburgh pitcher, Barry Jones, and hit his second home run of the night, his 28th of the season.

It was only last week that Pittsburgh pitchers shut out the Braves for 26 consecutive innings.

He was pulled in the sixth with a 4-3 lead after he bobbled Pittsburgh pitcher Zach Duke's sacrifice attempt.

The futility cripples the confidence of the opposition, and it makes the Pittsburgh pitchers brazen.

Stan Belinda, the third Pittsburgh pitcher, got the final two outs - both strikeouts - for his fifth save.

The new Pittsburgh pitcher was Bob Walk, who loaded the bases on two singles and an intentional walk to Dykstra.

Pittsburgh pitchers allowed 27 earned runs over the final three games, elevating their e.r.a. to 4.11 from 3.67.

The Pittsburgh pitcher responded with a three-hitter and a 5-1 win.

Four Pittsburgh pitchers walked 11, including four in the seventh.