The Pittsburgh Pirates Hit Parade Pushes A.J. Burnett to 3-0 Against Cincinnati Reds

The Pittsburgh Pirates just thumped the baseball yesterday. Their opponent badly wanted a sweep. Instead they got pounded. It was a good sign for us. After the game Clint Hurdle had another classic line…

"“we left a small village on base.” Clint Hurdle"

AJ Burnett was moved up and it proved to be an excellent decision. The Bucs right allowed just one hit after the first inning. He was rolling along and remarkably shut down 18 straight batters before he walked two after recording two outs in the ninth.

He walked three and struck out seven in 8.2 innings. Hurdle went to closer Joel Hanrahan for the final out. It was Hanranators 32nd which is tops in the bigs.

My favorite A.J. quote after the game? Had to be this one…

"“I’ve been in October. This is nothing like October,” Burnett said."

Every Pirates starter had two hits (yeh even Clint Barmes) except Rod Barajas and  Andrew McCutchen who each had one.  Cutch crushed his 23rd bomb which provided some cushion.  It tied his career high.    Walker hit his 12th jack, and had three hits raising his OBP to .359.   Starling Marte had a clutch triple.

We could go on and on… The Pirates left Cincy on a high note.  We loved it.