McCutchen's solo home run powers Pirates past Braves

Atlanta, GA - Francisco Liriano pitched six strong innings and Andrew McCutchen hit a solo home run to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 1-0 win over the Atlanta Braves to open a four-game set.

Liriano (7-10) allowed three hits and four walks while striking out seven for the Pirates, who have won seven of their last eight games.

The win temporarily moves Pittsburgh two games back of St. Louis for first place in the NL Central, and a half-game ahead San Francisco for the top wild card spot. St. Louis is currently playing while San Francisco is taking on Los Angeles later on Monday.

Aaron Harang (11-12) took the hard-luck loss as he gave up just the home run along with four hits and a pair of walks while striking out seven over seven innings for the Braves, who have lost nine of their last 10.

The big news for Atlanta on Monday, though, came from the front office as general manager Frank Wren was fired a day after the team was officially eliminated from the playoff race. The club named John Hart as the interim GM.

McCutchen clubbed a 2-0 pitch into the seats in left field to lead off the sixth inning and give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

Liriano left a man on third in the first inning, then left runners at the corners in the fourth by striking out Harang.

After pitching a 1-2-3 sixth, Liriano was replaced by Jared Hughes, who tossed a flawless seventh inning.

John Holdzkom pitched around a two-out single by Freddie Freeman in the eighth, while Mark Melancon tossed a scoreless ninth for his 32nd save of the season.