ATLANTA — It genuinely felt like this time might be different for the Pirates.
Their offense scored more than three runs in a game for the first time in eight days, helped by two first-inning home runs. Ke’Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds delivered two-out doubles in the fifth to give Pittsburgh the lead, and Duane Underwood Jr. buzzed through the Braves with a 1-2-3 sixth.
Then, the wheels came off. After a first inning that featured four combined homers — more than taking care of the “blast” portion of the famous saying — a bloop hit turned out to be the pivotal moment in a 10-4 Pirates loss. Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson dumped a single into right off Chris Stratton, and the Pirates again left Truist Park frustrated.