Walker, Marte hit homers as hot Pirates top Braves 10-8

ATLANTA (AP) Neil Walker describes the Pirates as resilient. That ability to bounce back was put to the test against the Braves.

Walker and Starling Marte homered, and Pittsburgh overcame a season-high four errors to stay hot by holding off the Atlanta Braves 10-8 on Friday night.

The eight runs allowed tied for the Pirates' third-highest total of the season. The homers helped Pittsburgh overcome the poor defense and shaky pitching.

''A lot of times when you have a three-run homer and a two-run homer, your odds of winning are going to be pretty good,'' Walker said.

''We're resilient. ... When we're down early or whatever the case may be, we kind of grind up and down the lineup.''

Walker hit a three-run drive, a towering shot deep into the right-field seats off Williams Perez in the fifth inning. Marte's two-run homer off Luis Avilan (2-1) gave the Pirates a 6-4 lead in the sixth.

Pittsburgh catcher Francisco Cervelli drove in two runs with four hits, matching his career high.

The Pirates, coming off a three-game sweep at San Francisco, have won four straight and 12 of 14.

''We're capable of a lot of things,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ''We just don't look back. We don't like making mistakes, especially on the defensive side. ... We're making more than our share (of errors).''

Hurdle said the defense must improve.

''We're giving teams 28, 29, 30 outs,'' Hurdle said. ''That's not the way you want to continue to play. We're aware of it. We need to improve it, no doubt.''

Charlie Morton (3-0) allowed four runs, three earned, in five innings.

Four Braves relievers combined to allow six runs. Atlanta's bullpen has given up 13 runs in the last three games - all losses.

''I've got to figure it out,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ''Whatever combination works.''

Pirates closer Mark Melancon gave up a one-out single to A.J. Pierzynski in the ninth before being hurt by his own throwing error. Melancon fielded Todd Cunningham's grounder, but his wild throw to second base set up Pedro Ciriaco's run-scoring single to left field.

Joey Terdoslavich, making his season debut after missing the first two months with a sprained left wrist, hit into a double play to end the game. Melancon earned his 17th save.

Perez, a rookie right-hander making his fourth start, threw 101 pitches in five innings. He allowed four runs on five hits and five walks and left with the game tied 4-all.

Pittsburgh took the lead against Avilan, who entered with two outs in the sixth. Following a single by Polanco, Marte lined a homer into the front row of the right-field seats for a 6-4 lead.

Polanco had two singles and a walk and stole two bases.

ROSTER MOVE

Before the game, Braves outfielder Eric Young Jr. was designated for assignment.

Young was hitting .169 with no homers, five RBIs and three stolen bases. He became a little-used backup after Cameron Maybin won the starting job in center field. Maybe had three hits.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates: 3B Josh Harrison was rested before entering the game in the eighth. Jung Ho Kang started at third base and Jordy Mercer was the shortstop.

Braves: 2B Jace Peterson has a bruised left thumb and isn't expected to be available to hit before Sunday. Gonzalez said Peterson has no structural damage and is available as a pinch-runner or late-inning defensive replacement. Ciriaco started for Peterson.

UP NEXT

Pirates: LHP Jeff Locke, who faces the Braves on Saturday night, is 3-3 with a 5.34 ERA after winning his first two decisions. He is 1-1 with a 6.20 ERA in four career starts against Atlanta. He allowed six runs in four innings in a loss at Turner Field last year.

Braves: RHP Julio Teheran (4-2) will look for his third straight win against the Pirates. Teheran is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in four career games, including three starts, against Pittsburgh.