AJ Burnett, Pittsburgh Pirates Save Series With Cincinnati Reds, Now 4.5 Games Back
The Pittsburgh Pirates avoided being swept in what was arguably the team’s biggest regular season series in the last two decades. The team entered the weekend series with the Cincinnati Reds 3.5 games back of the division lead. AJ Burnett
The Pirates opened the series with a 3-0 loss where the Reds scored only on an inside-the-park home run (where Chris Heisey was clearly tagged out at the plate) and a two-run home run from pitcher Mat Latos.
The Pirates were equally unlucky in Saturday’s 5-4 loss as umpire Brian Gorman solidified his spot as one of Major League Baseball’s worst.
Reds pitcher Mike Leake beaned Pirates hitter Josh Harrison with a pitch early in the game (after Aroldis Chapman drilled Bucs superstar Andrew McCutchen with a 101 MPH fastball in the shoulder the night before) and Gorman proceeded to warn both benches after Leake approached Harrison who was walking to first base and the two had a bit of an exchange. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle left his dugout to let Gorman know he disagreed with his club’s warning – which was understandable considering the Pirates had yet to hit anybody or retaliate in any way, shape or form – and Gorman immediately tossed him.
Gorman then went on to give the Pirates – particularly Pedro Alvarez - one of the worst and most inconsistent strike zones we’ve seen all season – and we’ve seen some bad ones – en route to a 5-4 loss.
The club would turn it around on Sunday as pitcher A.J. Burnett proved his place among the National League’s top pitchers with an 8.2 IP outing where he allowed two runs and three hits while striking out seven. Burnett’s ERA currently sits at just 3.19 and he is tied for the NL lead with 14 wins.
Not bad for a guy who’s contract the Pirates aren’t even paying in full.
McCutchen had an overall poor series despite hitting a home run in Sunday’s game, as his season batting average has lowered to a mediocre .368.
Joel Hanrahan recorded his MLB-leading 32nd save during Sunday’s 6-2 victory.
The Pirates open a three-game set with the Arizona Diamondbacks at home tomorrow night. It will be the first of an 11-game homestand where the Pirates host Arizona as well as the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Follow Troy on Twitter @TroyPfaff for more Pittsburgh Pirates content
Buy Pittsburgh Pirates Tickets | Buy Pittsburgh Pirates Apparel
Leave a Rant
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!