With the playoffs and a winning record out of reach, the Pittsburgh Pirates were still able to put together a strong showing against the playoff-bound Atlanta Braves. Pittsburgh topped Atlanta, 5-1, in their second-to-last game of the 2012 season.
Led by Pedro Alvarez's two hits and Garrett Jones' two RBIs and homer, the Pirates were able to put away the Braves early, as starter Kevin Correia was strong over 6⅔ innings, scattering six hits and one earned run to get the win. The Pirates bullpen put together 2⅓ innings of scoreless ball to secure the victory.
Correia's only surrendered run of the night came as a result of a Juan Francisco double, which scored Lyle Overbay.
With the Pirates up 3-1 in the fifth and a run already in in the frame, Jones's two-run home run proved more than enough to get the Pirates the victory on the night.
The two teams finish their season Wednesday with a mid-day showdown in Pittsburgh as A.J. Burnett heads to the mound for the Pirates and Ben Sheets finishes his season, and reportedly his career, for the Braves.