Freddy Sanchez's three-run double in the fifth inning broke a scoreless tie, leading Zach Duke and the streaking Pittsburgh Pirates past the Atlanta Braves 5-0 Monday in the first game of a doubleheader. Duke (2-2) shook off five walks and three errors behind him to limit Atlanta to five hits over six shutout innings, and the Pirates won their season-high sixth in a row. The Pirates' winning streak is their longest since they won 10 straight from June 25-July 5, 2004.

The Braves lost their seventh straight on the road. They have the majors' best home record (14-4) and worst road record (4-14).

Atlanta has lost three in a row in Pittsburgh after sweeping a six-game homestand against the Reds and Padres.

Duke was constantly in trouble, with at least two runners reaching in all but one inning, but he got key outs when he needed them while stranding 10 runners.

The Braves left 15 on overall while being shut out on eight hits by Duke, Damaso Marte and Sean Burnett.

Duke hadn't won since June 12, a span of 12 outings over two seasons, until beating the Giants 12-6 by allowing three runs over 7 1-3 innings on Tuesday. The left-hander hadn't won successive starts since beating the Brewers and Mets, respectively, on Sept. 11 and 17, 2006.

Braves rookie Jair Jurrjens (4-3) got himself into trouble in the fifth by walking Jason Michaels and hitting light-hitting rookie Brian Bixler with a pitch in the upper back, helping the Pirates load the bases.

After Duke struck out, Sanchez - 10-for-24 (.417) with eight RBIs as a leadoff batter since moving up one spot in the order last week - cleared the bases with a double to right-center

Adam LaRoche added a two-run homer, his fourth, following Ryan Doumit's leadoff double in the eighth against Manny Acosta.

Notes:@ Braves 1B Mark Teixeira left in the fourth inning with back spasms on a cloudy, chilly 48-degree day. ... Pirates RF Xavier Nady didn't start for the first time since April 11. ... The doubleheader resulted from a rainout Sunday. ... Pittsburgh leads the season series 5-1. ... The Pirates have won their last seven in PNC Park and are 12-7 at home. ... Pittsburgh had gone 53 innings and six games without making an error until committing three in the first five innings. ... Braves reliever Jeff Bennett hit Michaels in the sixth with an inside pitch that popped open the top three buttons of Michaels' jersey. ... Atlanta's Gregor Blanco reached base four times on two singles and two walks.

Written By ALAN ROBINSON

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