9,570 people almost witnessed history tonight, as A.J. Burnett threw 6 2/3 innings worth of no-hit ball while striking out eight against the first-place Cardinals only to see it broken up by a Carlos Beltran double in a Pirates 5 – 0 victory. “He (A.J.) was carving it up, he was doing a good job just making his pitches when he needed to make it.” Said Andrew McCutchen. “I was happy to be a part of it.”
Burnett would also record his 2,000th career strikeout in the second inning by getting Carlos Beltran looking. The Pirate infield would congratulate him at the mound and the fans would give him a standing ovation. “It’s part of the game, it’s part of what I’ve done.” Said Burnett. “The amount of love that these guy’s show me is really special.”
The Pirates got on the board in the first when Starling Marte extended his hitting streak to 10-games with a lead-off triple. (He is now 8 – 13 with a walk leading-off the first) Travis Snider would then knock him in with a RBI single to make it 1 – 0 after two batters.
They would extend the lead in the 6th when Andrew McCutchen reached on a 2-out infield hit. He would advance to second when the throw from shortstop, Daniel Descalso went out of play. He would score on a Neil Walker RBI single to make it 2 – 0. They, again, added a run in the 7th when Russell Martin reached on an infield hit. He would be sacrificed to second on a Clint Barmes bunt and later score on a 2-out throwing error, allowing Marte to reach.
The Buccos would put it out of reach in the 8th when they scored twice by way of a Gaby Sanchez pinch-hit double and a Pedro Alvarez RBI single which broke an 0 – 11 streak.
Mark Melancon, Tony Watson, and Jason Grilli would shut the Cards down in the 8th and 9th by throwing perfect ball to end it. Pirates win 5 – 0 and split the rain-shortened series. “I do think there’s a little part of him (Burnett) that wants to throw another no-hitter out there” said manager, Clint Hurdle.
The Pirates will begin a 4-game homestand against the Atlanta Braves starting tomorrow night at 7:05.
Starter’s Lines:
Burnett (W, 1 – 2) 7 IN, 1 H, 8 K’s, 1 HB. 101 Pitches (61 Strikes)
Miller (L, 2 – 1) 6 IN, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K’s. 98 Pitches (69 Strikes)
Tomorrow’s Starters:
(PIT) Jeff Locke LHP (1 – 1, 4.09 ERA)
(ATL) Julio Teheran RHP (0 – 0, 7.36 ERA)
