The Atlanta Braves must wish every month had an All-Star break.

Buddy Carlyle pitched eight impressive innings to win his third straight decision and the Braves got four hits from Edgar Renteria -- completing a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 5-1 victory today.

Atlanta has won four straight, seven of eight and 12 of 16 since going 3-9 against Minnesota, Cleveland, Boston and Detroit last month.

The Pirates, who dropped to 24-58 on the road the past two years, lost their third in a row after winning five of six entering the All-Star break.

Making his first career appearance against Pittsburgh, Carlyle gave up one run and four hits.

He struck out four and did not walk a batter. The right-hander improved to 3-0 over his last four starts and improved to 4-2 on the year.

Jeff Francoeur, Yunel Escobar and Renteria each had an RBI single for the Braves.

Carlyle retired 12 straight batters before Castillo's two-out triple in the fifth. Bob Wickman worked a perfect ninth to close it out.