PITTSBURGH, May 12 (UPI) -- Chuck James gave up one hit in seven scoreless innings Saturday as Atlanta routed Pittsburgh 9-2 for its fifth straight win.
Reliever Chad Paronto gave up two earned runs and four hits in one-third of an inning, and Peter Moylan hurled 1 2/3 scoreless innings to mop up.
Scott Thoman hit two homers and drove in five runs to power the Braves' offense. Jeff Francoeur scored twice and drove in a run while collecting three hits. Willie Harris, Andruw Jones and Brian McCann each hit one RBI for the Braves, who lead the NL East by 1 1/2 games over the New York Mets.
James (4-3) walked three batters and struck out three.
Chris Duffy and Jack Wilson had one RBI each for the Pirates, who had only five hits.
They have dropped three of five overall.
Losing pitcher Tony Armas Jr. (0-3) surrendered five runs -- four earned --and seven hits in two innings.
