The Bucs tomahawk the #1 seed Braves in 5

Game 1
Pittsburgh  4
Atlanta      3
MVP Jose Tabata 3 for 4, 2 runs, HR

The Pirates trailed 2-0 in the 6th inning when they rallied for 3 runs off Tim Hudson highlighted by Garret Jones double off the wall to take a 3-2 lead.  Jose Tabata added a solo homerun in the 8th to secure the win as the Bucs held on for a 4-3 victory.  Paul Maholm bested Tim Hudson as he pitched 6 strong innings to get the victory only allowing 2 runs.  Joel Hanrahan pitched the 9th to get the save.  Tim Hudson suffered the loss allowing 4 runs while striking out 7.  Martin Prado went 3 for 3 for the Braves.  The Buccos take a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2
Pittsburgh 3
Atlanta     9
MVP Chipper Jones 2 for 4, 2 runs, 3 rbi, HR

The Braves needed a win to even up the series and they wasted no time scoring 4 runs in the 1st off Jeff Karstens as Chipper Jones hit a 2-run homer being his second in the series.  Karstens would settle down lasting 4 innings allowing 5 runs.  Jair Jurrjens was dominating allowing 2 runs in 6 2/3 to get the victory.  The Braves scored 9 runs on 10 hits to pound the Bucs into submission evening the series at 1-1.

Game 3
Atlanta 6
Pittsburgh 5
MVP Freddie Freeman 1 for 5, 1 run, 3 rbi, HR

The game was scoreless until the 3rd when Chipper Jones lined a single to score the game's first run.  Freddie Freeman followed that with a 3-run homer to give Atlanta an early 4-0 lead.  However, the Buccos would rally in the 6th.  Jaramillo lined a single scoring Ludwick.  Ryan Doumit comes off the bench and hits a 3-run PH HR to tie the game at 4-4.  Each team would score a run in the 7th to keep the game deadlocked.  Jordan Schafer hit an exciting inside the park homerun for the Braves.  The game goes extra innings as Atlanta scores a run in the top of 11th to take the lead 6-5.  Craig Kimbrel gets the save to give the Braves a 2-1 lead in the series. 

Game 4
Atlanta 4
Pittsburgh 5
MVP Andrew McCutchen 2 for 5, 1 run, 2 rbi, SB, GWRBI

The Bucs find themselves in a do or die situation as they must win to keep the series going.  They turn to James McDonald facing rookie sensation Brandon Beachy for the Braves.  It doesn't look good for the Bucs as Atlanta scores 3 runs in the 1st as Brian McCann hits a 3-run homerun.  The Pirates rally again in the 2nd with 2 outs.  The bases were loaded as Andrew McCutchen walked to force in a run.  Garrett Jones doubled off the wall scoring 3 more as the Bucs take a 4-3 lead.  The Braves tie the game in the 7th as Alex Gonzalez hits a solo shot.  This game is headed for extra innings again.  Andrew McCutchen lines a single to score Ronny Cedeno to give the Bucs a dramatic walkoff win and even the series at 2-2.

Game 5
Pittsburgh 3
Atlanta 2
MVP Andrew McCutchen 1 for 3, 1 run, 1 rbi

This game featured a rematch of game 1 pitchers.  Paul Maholm vs Tim Hudson.  The winner advances and the loser goes home.  The Bucs score in the 1st as McCutchen doubles to score Neil Walker for a 1-0 lead.  Atlanta ties it in the 3rd on a Dan Uggla solo shot.  The game remained tied until the 6th when the Buccos scored 2 runs to take a 3-1 lead.  Garret Jones and Pedro Alvarez each had run scoring singles.  The Braves get a run back as Jason Heyward drives home a run to score Brian McCann making it 3-2 in favor of the Pirates.  The Bucs bullpen would take over from here not allowing anymore runs as the Pirates shock the number 1 seed in this best of 5 series.  Joel Hanrahan gets his second save of the series and Paul Maholm wins his second game.  --submitted by Frank Aluzzi--