Pittsburgh Pirates ride Burnett, Martin to series win over Rockies
By Matt Shetler
Throughout much of the 2013 season, Pittsburgh Pirates starter A.J. Burnett has been the victim of little run support and poor defense from the rest of the Bucs playing behind him.
Thanks to a big blast from his battery mate Russell Martin, neither problem was an issue Sunday afternoon.
Aug 3, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett (34) gestures at the batting cage prior to playing the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Martin broke open a 2-0 game with a big fifth inning three-run homer to left and the Bucs rode the right arm of Burnett the rest of the way en route to a 5-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park.
After taking four of five games from the St. Louis Cardinals earlier in the week it was important for the Pirates not to have a letdown against the Rocks. Having Burnett on the hill was big as the Bucs won another series despite dropping the first game.
Burnett (5-7) tossed a complete-game gem, allowing only one run and eight hits in going the distance. Burnett walked only one and struck out nine and may have been as efficient as he has ever been, throwing 82 of his 109 pitches for strikes.
The complete game was only the Pirates’ second of the season, as Burnett joined Francisco Liriano in accomplishing the feat. The win was Burnett’s first at PNC Park since May 3; Sunday also marked the 11th start of the season for Burnett at home, all in which he allowed less than three earned runs.
For a change he was helped out by the Pirates’ offense.
The Bucs on the board quickly in their half of the first when Starling Marte led off the game with a double off of Rockies starter Juan Nicasio (6-6) and came around to score on an RBI single from Andrew McCutchen.
The Pirates added to that lead in the third when Garrett Jones lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that plated Neil Walker to make it a 2-0 game.
The big blow came in the fifth.
McCutchen drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a single to left from third baseman Pedro Alvarez. That closed the book on Nicasio as Rockies manager Walt Weiss summoned Manny Corpas from the bullpen. Martin hammered the first pitch from Corpas into the left-field bleachers for his 10th round tripper of the season and a 5-0 Pirates lead.
That was more than enough for Burnett.
The Rockies finally got on the board in their half of the seventh when a single from Jonathan Herrera scored Michael Cuddyer, but Burnett shut down the door the rest of the way.
The win, coupled with the St. Louis Cardinals’ victory over the Cincinnati Reds, leaves the Pirates with a 1 1/2 game lead in the National League Central.
The Pirates get a much-needed day off Monday before concluding their 11-game homestand with a three-game set against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. Jeff Locke (9-3) is scheduled to oppose the Marlins’ Henderson Alvarez (2-1).