Bucs' bats, 'D' hot in chilly home opener

With the bases loaded in the top of the 4th inning, Ivan Nova forces Brandon Phillips to ground into a 6-3 double play to end the framePITTSBURGH -- Ivan Nova tossed six strong innings, David Freese and Francisco Cervelli hit back-to-back homers in the fifth, and the Pirates bailed out their pitchers with two key double plays in a 5-4 home-opener win over the Braves on Friday at PNC Park.

Nova did not return for days like this -- 37 degrees, with snow falling as he threw his first pitch -- but the Pirates brought back the veteran right-hander for performances like this. Nova looked like the resurgent starter who pitched for Pittsburgh down the stretch last season: efficient, in command and…