Freddie Freeman and Andrelton Simmons each belted two home runs to pace a 21-hit outburst for the Atlanta Braves in Wednesday's 18-9 Grapefruit League victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Freeman had a pair of two-run shots as part of a 4-for-4 day at the plate, while Simmons also collected four RBI and finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Jordan Parraz put the final touches on Atlanta's offensive eruption by smacking a pinch-hit three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh.

Dan Uggla, Jason Heyward and Chris Johnson all had two hits for the Braves, with Uggla scoring three times in the rout.

Pittsburgh pounded out 16 hits as a team in defeat, with Andrew McCutchen going 2-for-4 and delivering a two-run homer off Atlanta starter Mike Minor. Mike McKenry knocked in three runs for the Pirates, who also received a two- RBI single from Alex Presley.

Minor lasted just four innings, surrendering five runs on 10 hits while striking out five.

Pittsburgh starter Kyle McPherson, meanwhile, was tagged for nine runs (eight earned) on 10 hits over the first 4 2/3 frames, with Vin Mazzaro permitting six runs and eight hits in only one inning of relief.

Game Notes