Surprising Pirates blank Braves again

Craig Monroe hit a pair of three-run homers and Ian Snell gave up four hits in seven-plus innings Saturday, lifting the Pittsburgh Pirates to their second consecutive shutout of Atlanta, a 10-0 rout of the Braves.

Monroe homered off Atlanta starter Jo-Jo Reyes (0-1) with two outs in the sixth inning and off reliever Buddy Carlyle with two outs in the seventh.

Snell (1-2) walked three, struck out three and benefited from three double plays by the Pirates, who are a surprising 6-5 after being widely picked to finish last in the National League Central. The right-hander was replaced by Sean Burnett after walking Martin Prado to lead off the eighth.

Jesse Chavez worked a perfect ninth to complete the four-hitter.

Atlanta has lost five straight.