Ross drives in game-winner with bases-loaded single in 15th as Braves beat Pirates 7-6

Ross lifts Braves past Pirates with single in 15th

ATLANTA — So many innings. So many hours. So many wins. Bobby Cox finally lost count.

“Holy cow, what time is it?” Cox asked after his Atlanta Braves outlasted the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-6 in 15 innings on Monday night.

The game, which lasted almost 5 hours, gave Cox his 2000th career win with the Braves. He said he didn’t know about the milestone until it was announced after the game.

“All it means is that you’re getting old and you’ve been around too long,” said the 68-year-old skipper.

David Ross’ bases-loaded infield single in the 15th inning drove in Jeff Francoeur for the winning run.

Ross hit the grounder to shortstop Jack Wilson, whose throw to the third-base side of home plate pulled catcher Jason Jaramillo’s foot off the plate as Francoeur scored.

“I could have made a better throw on that play,” Wilson said.

Pittsburgh manager John Russell said he thought Jaramillo kept his foot on the plate.

It was the longest game in Atlanta since the Braves beat the Astros 7-6 in 17 innings on July 7, 2008 in the longest game in Turner Field history.

This game lasted 4 hours, 46 minutes.

Cox’s 2,355 wins overall in 28 seasons with Atlanta and Toronto rank fourth all-time.

“Just another notch in his Hall of Fame belt,” said Chipper Jones, who hit a two-run homer in the first inning.

Karstens (2-4) walked Gregor Blanco to lead off the 15th. Blanco was forced out at second on Francoeur’s unsuccessful sacrifice bunt. Francoeur raced to third on Martin Prado’s single to center. Karstens loaded the bases on an intentional walk to Kelly Johnson before facing Ross.

Karstens, Pittsburgh’s eighth pitcher, made his first relief appearance since Sept. 25, 2007 against Tampa Bay while with the New York Yankees. He had made 31 straight starts and said he didn’t know if he’d make his scheduled Wednesday start against the Braves.

Rookie Kris Medlen (2-2), Atlanta’s eighth pitcher, earned the win with three scoreless innings in his first relief appearance.

After Peter Moylan blew a 6-3 lead by giving up three runs in the seventh, Atlanta’s final six relievers threw 8 2-3 scoreless innings.

Brian McCann hit a two-run homer and Nate McLouth had three hits, including a homer, against his former team. The outfielder was traded to Atlanta last week.

Andrew McCutchen had four hits, including two triples and a double, for Pittsburgh.

The trade cleared the way for the Pirates to promote McCutchen, who has seven hits in his last two games.