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Pirates walk plank
Six-run 1st inning keys victory
Braves Pirates Baseba Heal
Atlanta Braves' Jason Heyward, right, rounds the bases past Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker after hitting a lead off home run in the first inning of Monday's game in Pittsburgh. - photo by Associated Press
PITTSBURGH — Jason Heyward and Andrelton Simmons homered to begin a six-run first inning, and the Atlanta Braves beat the sliding Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3 on Monday night for their fourth consecutive victory. The early outburst was enough for Ervin Santana, who allowed three solo homers among nine hits in 5 1-3 innings. Santana (13-6) improved to 8-1 over his past 10 starts.