Duke (2-1) went six innings and served up six runs on 12 hits, including a three-run homer by Martin Prado. Duke's ERA swelled from 0.59 to 2.95.

Um ... happy birthday?

"Yeah, thanks," Duke said, with a wry grin.

In 15.1 innings over his first two starts, Duke had allowed three runs. Yesterday, the Braves scored three runs in the first inning.

With Chipper Jones at first base, Garret Anderson doubled to left field. Jeff Francoeur lined a two-run single up the middle and took second base on the throw to the plate. Casey Kotchman followed with an RBI single.

Duke was behind in the count 3-1 against Anderson and 2-0 against Francoeur. Kotchman hit a 2-2 pitch.

"The command was not sharp from the first inning on," Duke said. "Fastball was not sharp. It's tough to be successful when you're like that. That's really what hurt me."

The Braves put runners on second and third with one out in the fourth. When Omar Infante popped out, Duke had a chance to escape unscathed.

That brought up Prado, who had homered three times in 355 career at-bats.

"I wanted him to beat me, not Chipper (Jones), who was standing in the on-deck circle," Duke said. "Turned out, he did."

Prado lined a 2-1 pitch over the left field wall.

"He was obviously off," Pirates manager John Russell said. "He struggled to get the ball where he wanted to. His offspeed pitches were off the plate a little bit. He wasn't coming in like he has in the past."

It was the second time Duke pitched on his birthday. In 2007, he gave up seven runs on 11 hits in four innings in a loss against Milwaukee. Yesterday's game was equally as forgettable.

"Just one game," Duke said. "I've put it out of my memory. I'm focused on the next start now. I'll be ready."

In the seventh inning, reliever Craig Hansen was torched for four runs on two hits, including a three-run homer by Ross. Lefty Donnie Veal gave up a run on one hit in the eighth.

Ten of Atlanta's runs scored after two outs.

The Pirates squandered their best chance to score against righty Javier Vazquez (1-1).

Nyjer Morgan and Freddy Sanchez began the sixth with back-to-back singles. But Nate McLouth lined out, Ryan Doumit flew out and Adam LaRoche struck out looking.

"He was hitting his spots," Morgan said. "Our bats went a little quiet today."

In six innings, Vazquez allowed five hits, walked one and struck out eight. He threw 98 pitches, 71 of them for strikes.

"He was anywhere from 74 mph to 92 mph," Russell said. "Hitting his spots, changing speeds, kept us off balance. We got behind and couldn't do anything with him."

The Pirates got their run in the ninth, and it came with more of a whimper than a bang. Ramon Vazquez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

How they scored

Braves first inning (Zach Duke pitching): With one out, Martin Prado doubled to left field. Chipper Jones grounded to shortstop, fielder's choice, Prado out at third. Garret Anderson doubled to left, Jones to third. Jeff Francoeur singled to center, Jones and Anderson scored, Francoeur to second on the throw to the plate. Casey Kotchman singled to center, Francoeur scored. Braves 3, Pirates 0

Braves fourth: David Ross doubled to center. Jordan Schafer bunted a single to first base, Ross to third. Javier Vazquez bunted out to first base, sacrifice, Schafer to second. With two outs, Martin Prado hit a three-run home run (No. 1) to left on a 2-1 pitch. Braves 6, Pirates 0

Braves seventh (Craig Hansen pitching): With one out, Jones was hit by a pitch. Throwing error by shortstop Jack Wilson, Jones to second. With two outs, Francoeur doubled to right, Jones scored. Kotchman walked. Ross hit a three-run homer (No. 1) to left on a 2-1 pitch. Braves 10, Pirates 0

Braves eighth (Donnie Veal pitching): With one out, Omar Infante doubled to left. Prado walked. Wild pitch, Infante to third and Prado to second. Jones walked, loading the bases. Matt Diaz flied out to left, sacrifice, Infante scored. Braves 11, Pirates 0

Pirates ninth (James Parr pitching): With two outs, Brandon Moss singled to center. Andy LaRoche singled to center, Moss to second. Craig Monroe (pinch-hitting for Veal) walked, loading the bases. Ramon Vazquez was hit by a pitch. Moss scored, LaRoche to third, Monroe to second. Braves 11, Pirates 1