Atlanta Braves pinch hitter Michael Harris II, left, reacts after hitting a three-run double as Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jared Triolo, right, looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

ATLANTA — Michael Harris II hit a three-run double in the seventh inning and the Atlanta Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 to complete a three-game sweep Sunday.

Reynaldo López (3-1) earned the win with a scoreless seventh, and Tyler Kinley ended a bases-loaded threat in the eighth when he got Ryan O’Hearn to ground out to first base.

Braves rookie Didier Fuentes stranded two runners in the ninth for his first career save.

“We had opportunities,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “(The Braves) got the big hit with guys on, and unfortunately we weren’t able to.”

Harris came up as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh and the Braves trailing 2-0. With light rain falling, he drove the first pitch from Evan Sisk into the right-field corner to clear the bases.

The major league-leading Braves (45-21), limited to three hits, have won eight of 10 games.

Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz led off the game with a home run, his sixth in nine career games at Truist Park. He also had an infield single and extended his on-base streak to 15 games.

“I thought we had good at-bats,” Kelly said, “we just didn’t come through when we had guys on base.”

Pittsburgh’s Mason Montgomery served as an opener for the fourth time this season after pitching an inning in relief Saturday night. Montgomery stranded two in a scoreless first and has not given up a run as an opener this season.

Bubba Chandler (2-7) came on as a bulk reliever and cruised until the seventh, when an error by third baseman Tyler Callihan and two walks loaded the bases. He was pulled before Harris doubled off Sisk.

“I think the whole day I was in the moment, focusing on the pitch I was going to throw, I dominated during that time,” Chandler said. “When I started thinking about stuff I couldn’t control, it kind of just spiraled.”

Braves starter Bryce Elder gave up two hits and two runs in six innings, his 10th quality start in 14 outings this season. He struck out four and walked two.

Saturday’s game

Dominic Smith hit a two-run homer, Spencer Strider allowed three runs in five innings and the Braves recovered after losing an early three-run lead to beat the Pirates 6-3 on Saturday.

Atlanta led 3-0 after three innings. The Pirates pulled even in the fifth on Brandon Lowe’s sacrifice fly off Strider (4-1).

The Braves delivered a quick answer by scoring three runs off Braxton Ashcraft (5-3) in the bottom of the third. Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson reached on singles before their double-steal set up a go-ahead sacrifice fly by Ozzie Albies. Smith then lined the two-run homer just inside the foul pole in left field.

Raisel Iglesias pitched the ninth for his 13th save. He has converted 31 consecutive save opportunities since July 28, 2025, the majors’ longest active streak.

Lowe left the game after fouling a ball off his right knee in the ninth.

Callihan, making his first start of the season, had a run-scoring double, a walk and a stolen base.

Catcher Austin Wynns, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels for cash on Thursday, was held without a hit in his first start for the Braves.

Atlanta held out Harris II with back tightness. Manager Walt Weiss said the move was precautionary. Harris left Friday night’s 6-3 win in the ninth.

“We’ll give him a day and see how he’s feeling,” Weiss said. “… I think this is gonna be very short term.”

Mauricio Dubón had two hits and scored two runs while filling in for Harris.

Up next

Pirates: RHP Paul Skenes (6-5, 3.09 ERA) will face Dodgers LHP Eric Lauer (2-5, 5.74) as Pittsburgh hosts Los Angeles in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday.