ATLANTA, May 29 (UPI) -- David Ross doubled home three runs in the first inning Friday, starting Atlanta on its way to a rainy 7-3 victory over Pittsburgh.
The Braves won their third straight but had to wait through two long rain delays to do it.
The game was delayed at the start for 81 minutes because of a thunderstorm, and showers persisted through much of the contest. With one out in the top of the ninth, heavy rain again began to fall and the game was stopped once more, this time for 70 minutes.
When play finally resumed, Jonny Venters quickly struck out Jeff Clement and Bobby Crosby on eight pitches to end it.
The homer by Ross capped off a four-run first. Chipper Jones then singled in a run in the second and his base hit in the sixth drove in two more. Atlanta took a 7-1 lead through seven innings.
Derek Lowe (7-4) pitched through the rain to get the victory, going seven innings while giving up a run on four hits.
Zach Duke (3-5) allowed seven runs on 12 hits over 5 1/3 to take the loss.
