ATLANTA (AP) - Chipper Jones couldn't make it through his first game back from the disabled list without a new injury concern.

Jones gave the Braves their only offense by hitting a homer after he strained his right quadriceps in Atlanta's 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.

Advertisement

Jones, who had arthroscopic surgery on July 9 to repair torn cartilage in his right knee, came off the disabled list with two hits, including his ninth homer, and a stolen base. He will have his quadriceps injury evaluated on Tuesday.

Jones, 39, told manager Fredi Gonzalez he felt discomfort in his quadriceps after charging Neil Walker's slow grounder from third base in the sixth. Jones told Gonzalez he'd need a pinch-runner if he got a hit in the eighth - and then he led off the inning with the homer.

Jones was receiving treatment and was not available for comment following the Braves' third straight loss.

James McDonald struck out a career-high nine in 5 1-3 scoreless innings as the Pirates kept pace in the tight NL Central race.

The Pirates are tied with St. Louis for first place in the division, a half-game ahead of Milwaukee, which was off.

The Braves outhit the Pirates 9-5, but Pittsburgh took advantage of its few scoring chances.

``You feel like you left a small village out there,' Gonzalez said after the Braves left nine runners on base.

Braves starter Tim Hudson issued three walks in seven innings - and each of the three scored.

``They're a good club. They're not in first place by accident,' Hudson said.

``They made their hits count tonight. I feel like I had too good of stuff to give them free passes. You've got to make them earn it. I'm very disappointed on the outcome because my stuff was really good.'

Hudson gave up three runs on five hits and three walks in seven innings. He had eight strikeouts in his first loss since June 15.

Two walks hurt Hudson (9-7) in Pittsburgh's two-run second inning.

After striking out the side in the first inning, Hudson walked Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez to open the second. The runners advanced on Lyle Overbay's fly ball to center before McCutchen scored on Ronny Cedeno's groundout to third base. Alvarez scored on Michael McKenry's single to left.

Andrew McCutchen's single drove in Garrett Jones, who walked, in the sixth for a 3-0 lead.

McDonald (6-4) had the most strikeouts by a Pirates pitcher in almost two years. He gave up eight hits but did not walk a batter and ended each of the first five innings with strikeouts.

McDonald has not allowed a run in two straight wins. He said he is focused on being more aggressive on the mound and staying ahead in the count.

Joel Hanrahan pitched a perfect ninth for his 29th save in 30 chances.

McDonald struck out Alex Gonzalez to end the second inning with runners on first and third. The right-hander struck out Freddie Freeman to end the third with runners on second and third. He fanned Gonzalez again to end the fourth following Nate McLouth's second hit.

The Braves loaded the bases against McDonald with one out in the sixth. Right-hander Chris Resop, who began his career with the Braves, took over and ended the threat on McLouth's popup and Gonzalez's third strikeout.

``I guess I was a little more pumped up than normal, going against Atlanta,' Resop said. ``It's nice to be in Pittsburgh having success and I guess proving to people I can pitch.'

Pittsburgh also had a third baseman return to its active roster as a starter.

Alvarez had one hit and a walk in his first game back from Triple-A Indianapolis. Alvarez was recalled when the Pirates placed outfielder Alex Presley on the 15-day disabled list with a left hand contusion.

Alvarez bobbled leadoff hitter Martin Prado's grounder for an error on his first chance in the first inning.

Dan Uggla's sixth-inning single stretched his career-best hitting streak to 16 games.

According to STATS, LLC, Uggla's .195 batting average is the lowest for any player since 1946 to carry a hitting streak of 15 games or longer after at least 100 games. An error against Cincinnati's Miguel Cairo on Sunday was changed to a hit for Uggla on Monday, keeping the streak alive.

The start of the game was delayed 2 hours, 2 minutes by rain.

NOTES: McDonald's nine strikeouts were the most for the Pirates since RHP Russ Ohlendorf had 11 against St. Louis on Sept. 5, 2009. ... OF Wilkin Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to clear a roster spot for Jones. ... An X-ray on Monday showed Braves OF Jordan Schafer has a chip fracture in his middle left finger. He struck out as a pinch-hitter in the seventh. ... Manager Clint Hurdle said he had no timetable on Presley's return. ... Andrew McCutchen had his first stolen base since June 24.