PITTSBURGH, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Derek Lowe allowed one run in six innings while being staked to a nine-run lead Wednesday and Atlanta halted a three-game skid with a 9-3 win over Pittsburgh.
The Braves stayed within a half game of Philadelphia for the top spot in the National League East. The Phillies downed Florida 10-6.
Martin Prado, Derrek Lee and Alex Gonzalez all had two RBI while the Braves were building a 9-0 cushion through the first 4 1/2 innings.
Lowe (12-12), working for the first time since Aug. 29 due to elbow soreness, gave up eight hits but did not walk a batter. He has started against Pittsburgh 10 times in his career and has been the winning pitcher in all of them.
The Pirates were trying to win a three-game series for just the third time this season and for the first time since early May against the Chicago Cubs. Pittsburgh has not swept a series from the Braves in 16 years.
Pittsburgh starter Zach Duke (7-13) retired only three batters in absorbing the loss, giving up four runs on six hits.
