Braves continue to struggle down the stretch

Atlanta drops fifth in last six games

The Pittsburgh Pirates' Ike Davis slides into second base with a double as Atlanta Braves second baseman Ramiro Pena, left, handles the late throw in the second inning of a baseball game Thursday in Atlanta. - photo by John Bazemore

0926Braves1 — The Pittsburgh Pirates' Ike Davis slides into second base with a double as Atlanta Braves second baseman Ramiro Pena, left, handles the late throw in the second inning of a baseball game Thursday in Atlanta. - photo by John Bazemore

ATLANTA — Edinson Volquez threw seven scoreless innings, Travis Snider and Neil Walker hit homers and the Pittsburgh Pirates moved within one game of the NL Central lead with a 10-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night. Pittsburgh, only one game behind first-place St. Louis in the division, will close its regular season with a three-game series at Cincinnati. The Pirates clinched a playoff spot on Tuesday night.

Regional events