Oneil Cruz and Rowdy Tellez hit home runs in the fifth inning as Pirates avoid sweep, beat Braves 4-2

ATLANTA (AP) — Oneil Cruz and Rowdy Tellez each hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates took advantage of Bailey Falter’s strong start to beat the Atlanta Braves 4-2 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.

Bryan Reynolds’ 25-game hitting streak ended with two strikeouts and two groundouts in four at-bats. It’s the longest streak in the major leagues this season and the Pirates’ longest since Kenny Lofton’s 26-game streak in 2003.

The Pirates’ four-run fifth began with a successful challenge that allowed Jack Suwinski to be hit by a pitch from Spencer Schwellenbach (1-4). With two outs, Cruz doubled a circuit who traveled 452 feet to the right field seats. Cruz’s 12th homer had an exit velocity of 117.3 mph.

Schwellenbach walked Edward Olivares before Tellez hit his fourth home run off the right field foul pole.

The Pirates (40-43) finished 14-12 in June.

“I think we had a solid month,” Tellez said. “It was a good way to end it.”

Tellez ended an 0-for-8 drought with a home run.

Falter (4-6) issued four walks in five innings, but the left-hander was charged with a run and two hits. Falter struck out the side in the second and had five outs before being affected by temperatures in the low 90s.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so red on the mound,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said of Falter.

Falter acknowledged that the Georgian heat was oppressive.

“After the fourth one, I literally felt like I was under a magnifying glass,” Falter said.

Falter snapped a four-game losing streak dating back to his last win, also against the Braves, on May 24 in Pittsburgh.

Marcell Ozuna walked to lead off the fourth and scored the Braves’ lone run against Falter on Austin Riley’s double play.

Aroldis Chapman got his third save despite a run allowed in the ninth inning. After an Adam Duvall single and a Sean Murphy double, Michael A. Taylor dove to catch Orlando Arcia’s deep ball for a sacrifice fly. Chapman ended the match on a takedown of Zack Short.

On Saturday, Chapman surpassed Billy Wagner’s record for most career retirements by a left-handed reliever.

The Atlanta Hawks’ No. 1 pick in Wednesday’s NBA draft, Zaccharie Risacher The Frenchman, Risacher, wore number 10 for the Braves when he threw his ceremonial first pitch. Risacher (pronounced Ree-zah-shay), who will wear No. 10 as a swing player with the Hawks, was near the plate during his throw.

TRAINERS ROOM

Pirates: DH Andrew McCutchen left the game after three at-bats due to what Shelton described as “just a little illness.” … He is fine.”

Braves: Right-handed pitcher Ian Anderson pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk, for Class A Augusta on Sunday as he continued his comeback from Tommy John surgery. … Outfielder Ramón Laureano (lower back) missed his fourth straight game.

FOLLOWING

Pirates: Right-handed pitcher Mitch Keller (9-4, 3.20 ERA) will start Tuesday night when the Pirates open a home series against right-handed pitcher Kyle Gibson (5-3, 3.70 ERA) and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Braves: RHP Reynaldo López (6-2, 1.70 ERA) is scheduled to face RHP Hayden Birdsong (0-0, 5.79 ERA) Tuesday night in the opener of a home series against San Francisco.

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