Joyce’s big game not enough to boost Bucs

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ATLANTA — Though they sit just two games back in the National League Wild Card standings, the Pirates have far too often felt the frustration that consumed them again at Turner Field on Wednesday night, when Rob Whalen struggled mightily through the first inning of his career and then held steady as the Braves erupted against Jeff Locke en route to an 8-4 victory.

After enduring a four-run first inning that included Matt Joyce’s three-run homer, Whalen blanked the Pirates over his final four innings and earned a win in his big league debut. The Braves took the lead as they chased Locke during a two-run fifth with Nick Markakis’ game-tying sacrifice fly and a go-ahead single recorded by Ender Inciarte, who ran his hit hitting streak to 14 games with a three-hit performance.

Locke …

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