PITTSBURGH – Rafael Furcal made up for two errors with a go-ahead single during Atlanta’s two-run, ninth-inning rally against Pirates closer Jose Mesa, and the Braves came back to beat Pittsburgh 3-2 on Thursday.

The Braves won their third in the four-game series, sixth in seven games overall – and 15th in 20. They also took the season series from Pittsburgh 4-2, and are 11-4 against the Pirates the last two seasons.

Mesa had converted 29 of 30 save opportunities heading into the ninth, but immediately got into trouble when Johnny Estrada and Julio Franco singled. Shortstop Jack Wilson’s throwing error on Franco’s infield single also helped by moving Mark DeRosa, who ran for Estrada, to third.

Eli Marrero’s force-play grounder then tied it, and Furcal put the Braves ahead with a single that fell in front of left fielder Jason Bay. Mesa (2-1) avoided further damage by leaving the bases loaded, but still took his first loss of the season.

Jose Cruz (3-0) pitched a perfect eighth inning for the victory before John Smoltz finished in the ninth for his 23rd save in 25 games and third of the series. He has saves in five of the Braves’ last six games.

Pirates starter Josh Fogg bounced back from a two-inning start against Cincinnati on Saturday to limit the Braves to one run over 5 2-3 innings, but didn’t figure in the decision once the Braves rallied.

Rob Mackowiak drove in both Pirates runs with a sacrifice fly following singles by Jason Kendall and Wilson in the first against John Thomson, and a run-scoring single in the third. It looked as if Thomson would get out of that inning when Wilson hit a routine grounder to short, but Furcal misplayed it for his 18th error, third in two starts and second in as many innings.

The Pirates didn’t do anything else against Thomson, who yielded two runs and five hits in six innings. He has allowed thee runs or fewer in five of six starts.

Furcal also misplayed a grounder by Wilson in a five-run Pirates seventh Tuesday, setting up Mackowiak’s bases-loaded double in Pittsburgh’s 8-4 comeback decision.

Before the ninth, Atlanta’s only run came on Marrero’s double and Nick Green’s RBI single in the fifth against Fogg.

Notes: Mesa’s only other blown save was June 12 in Oakland, a 12-11 loss in which he entered in the eighth after reliever Salomon Torres was ejected. … Each team turned three double plays. … Atlanta has won 12 of 14 road games. … Atlanta’s J.D. Drew went hitless for a second straight game following a 22-game hitting streak. … Drew’s streak of reaching base in 41 consecutive games also ended.

AP-ES-07-29-04 1531EDT