Bailey Falter gave up only two hits across six innings, and the Pittsburgh Pirates handed manager Don Kelly a win in his managerial debut by edging out the Atlanta Braves 3-2 on Friday night.
Kelly, a native of the Pittsburgh area who was elevated from bench coach to manager on Thursday after Derek Shelton was dismissed, received a hearty cheer during pregame introductions. He then watched as the Pirates delivered one of their most efficient performances of the season during what’s been a rough start.
Alexander Canario, filling in late for the slumping Tommy Pham, hit a home run for Pittsburgh. Jared Triolo followed with his first of the season off Bryce Elder (2-2) as the Pirates snapped a seven-game losing skid. Andrew McCutchen also contributed an RBI double.
Falter (2-3) had a shaky start, allowing two of the first three batters to reach, but quickly found his rhythm. The southpaw went on to retire 15 of the last 16 hitters he faced.
Dennis Santana had a nervous ninth inning, surrendering a sacrifice fly to Michael Harris II and a pinch-hit RBI single from Drake Baldwin, but managed to finish the game and earn his fourth save.
Austin Riley collected two of Atlanta’s seven hits as the Braves missed a chance to return to a .500 record for the first time this season.
Elder mostly handled one of MLB’s weakest offenses effectively, aside from two pitches that the low-power Canario and Triolo knocked just over the fence to give Pittsburgh the lead.
Key moment
David Bednar, a two-time All-Star closer now working as a set-up man after early-season issues, struck out Marcell Ozuna and Matt Olson to end the eighth inning with both representing the tying run.
Key stat
0-4 — Atlanta’s record this season when attempting to climb back to a .500 mark.
Up next
The series resumes Saturday. AJ Smith-Shawver (2-2, 3.00 ERA) is set to pitch for Atlanta against Pittsburgh’s Andrew Heaney (2-3, 3.18 ERA).
