BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Pirates Defeat Braves, 4-3, With Two Runs in Ninth

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves are going in opposite directions.

The Pirates scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning at Atlanta Thursday night to beat the Braves, 4-3, and move 3 1/2 games ahead of the second-place St. Louis Cardinals.

The loss was the Braves’ fifth in six games.

The Pirates’ Jeff King hit a two-run single off Marvin Freeman in the ninth inning to provide the difference.

Atlanta’s John Smoltz (3-3) led, 3-2, when he walked leadoff hitter Barry Bonds in the ninth. Steve Buechele doubled over the glove of center fielder Otis Nixon with one out, and Mike LaValliere was walked intentionally, loading the bases.

Freeman relieved and King lined his second pitch to center, the fourth time in six games Atlanta’s has failed to hold a lead.

Toronto 5, Seattle 4--Devon White hit a two-run homer off Calvin Jones in the seventh inning at Toronto as the Blue Jays handed the Mariners their eight consecutive road loss.

Manuel Lee reached on an infield single off Jones (1-1) before White’s third homer of the season, which ended an 0-for-11 slump.

Dave Stieb (2-3) gave up four runs and six hits in seven innings, struck out three and walked three. David Wells pitched two innings for his first save.