Francoeur scored just ahead of Jack Wilson's throw to the plate to give Atlanta its second straight win -- which was also Manager Bobby Cox's 2,000th win with the Braves. Cox has 2,355 managerial victories overall -- good for fourth place on the all-time list behind Connie Mack, John McGraw and Tony La Russa.
In his first game with Atlanta, following his trade from Pittsburgh last week, Nate McLouth was 3-for-7 with a home run and two RBI. Chipper Jones and Brian McCann each smacked a two-run home run for Atlanta.
Braves starter Kenshin Kawakami allowed three runs on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts in six innings. Kris Medlen (2-2) pitched three shutout innings in relief to get the victory.
Andrew McCutchen, in center field for the Pirates after McLouth's departure, was 4-for-7 with two triples, one double, an RBI and two runs scored.
Pittsburgh starter Zach Duke allowed six runs on 11 hits with two walks and two strikeouts in six innings. Jeff Karstens (2-4) allowed the winning run to take the loss for the Pirates, who have lost three of their last four games.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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