A.J. Burnett shines as Pittsburgh Pirates beat Cincinnati Reds 6-2 in finale – MLB Update
Pittsburgh Pirates crush the Cincinnati Reds 6-2 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio on Sunday, August 5 in the finale of their three match series.
Manager Clint Hurdle will be very impressed with what he saw from the Pirates. The Reds had the better of their National League Central Division rivals in first two games and they were looking to put up another masterful performance on Sunday to complete
a stunning series sweep.
Credit should be given to the Pirates for holding their nerves as they improved to 61-46. Neil Walker showed just what he is capable of as he connected for a two run home-run to right in the second inning to put the Pirates 2-1 ahead.
Rookie Starling Marte continued his magical hitting streak with a triple to deep right in the fourth as Pittsburgh extended the lead to 4-2. Andrew McCutchen homered to left centre and catcher Rod Barajas had an RBI on a throwing error in the ninth to give
the Pirates a much needed victory.
"You get greedy," Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said. "When you start winning every day, two out of three isn't good enough. We went 5-2 on the home stand, but you always want more. We're in a situation now where, hopefully, we get some guys back. Our guys
have fought through some adversity."
A.J. Burnett played a key role in deciding the outcome of the clash as he created all sorts of problems for Cincinnati’s inform hitting line-up. In his 8.2 effective innings, Burnett gave up just three hits and two runs while striking-out seven. Relief pitcher
Joel Hanrahan pitched just 0.1 inning for his 32nd save of the season.
"I've never had an ace before," Hurdle said. "We have a guy with the experience A.J. brought with him. After the second inning he was just rock solid. He got some quick outs."
"I just want to win whatever it takes, if it's my day it's my responsibility," Burnett said.
Reds’ starter Homer Bailey, on the other hand, took his seventh loss after giving up nine hits and four runs in just over four innings.
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