Pirates 9, Braves 3: Pedro Alvarez and Yamaico Navarro crushed two-run homers as Pittsburgh salvaged a split of its four-game series in Atlanta by scoring more than five runs for the first time this season.

Their shots off left-hander Mike Minor (2-2) gave a jolt to the league’s worst attack which has scored 58 runs in 22 games this season.

The Braves jumped on top early. Following a first-inning walk to Martin Prado, Freddie Freeman turned on a fastball from James McDonald (1-1) and lined it over the right-field fence. McDonald settled down, going 7 2/3 innings and allowing three runs.

Pittsburgh tied it in the third on Josh Harrison’s RBI single and Andrew McCutchen’s sacrifice fly. Alvarez’s blast – a line-drive down the right-field line -- put the Pirates ahead for good in the fourth. Navarro extended the lead in the sixth with a matching line shot down the left-field line.

Pirates second baseman Neil Walker went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Braves right fielder Jason Heyward missed the game after waking up with soreness in his right oblique muscle. He was replaced by Eric Hinske, who went 4-for-4. ... Navarro went 2-for 4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. ... The Braves (14-9) haven't lost a series since being swept by the Mets in the first three games of the season.