Pirates score 6 in 3rd to chase Strider and then hold off the Braves 7-6 after rain delay

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rookie infielder Liover Peguero had two hits in a six-run third inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates chased Spencer Strider early before holding off the Atlanta Braves for a rain-delayed 7-6 victory Monday night.

Connor Joe homered in the fourth to help the fourth-place Pirates hand the major league-leading Braves their third consecutive defeat. Pittsburgh ended an eight-game losing streak to Atlanta that dated to 2021.

Strider (12-4), runner-up in NL Rookie of the Year voting last season, matched a career low by pitching just 2 2/3…