Braves Are Shut Down by Benson

The Atlanta Braves are accustomed to seeing good starting pitching. Only they’re not used to seeing starting pitchers dominate them, especially the way Kris Benson did.

Benson pitched a six-hitter for his first career shutout and drove in the first run with an infield single, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Braves, 2-0, Thursday night at Pittsburgh.

Benson (5-5) held the middle of the Braves’ order to one hit.

Benson got 18 groundball outs and struck out five in his fourth career complete game.

“I’ve been waiting for one of these for a long time,” said Benson, who got his first shutout in his 45th start.

Colorado 5, Houston 4--Jeffrey Hammonds scored from third on a close play at the plate to cap a wild ninth inning as the Rockies rallied to beat the Astros at Denver.

Todd Helton tied the score when he homered off Billy Wagner (2-4).

Hammonds followed with a sharp single, advanced to second on a groundout and took third on a wild pitch. Brent Mayne then hit a soft grounder to first baseman Jeff Bagwell, whose throw to the plate was high, allowing Hammonds to slide in under Tony Eusebio’s tag.