Conrad’s Homerun In 11th Gives Braves 4-2 Win

PITTSBURGH – Brooks Conrad hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the 11th inning and the Atlanta Braves topped the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Wednesday.

With pinch-runner Wilkin Ramirez on first and one out, Conrad hit a 1-2 pitch from Jeff Karstens (3-3) into a sliver of seats in right-center for his first home run of the season and fifth career pinch-hit homer.

Eric Hinske hit a solo homer and Jordan Schafer and Alex Gonzalez each had two hits for the Braves, who have won three of four and got a strong outing from rookie Mike Minor in a spot start for Tim Hudson.

Steve Pearce homered for the first time in 20 months and went 3 for 5 with two RBIs for Pittsburgh, which has lost three straight.