NL Recaps – A.J. Burnett Helps Pirates Avoid Sweep

Pirates News Cincinnati  – A.J. Burnett was a stopper today as he has been all season. The Pittsburgh Pirates were in danger of being swept by the Cincinnati Reds.

Burnett allowed one hit after the first inning and pitched 8 2/3 innings overall and the Pirates beat the Reds to avoid a sweep 7-2.

Burnett allowed two earned runs and three hits. He walked three  Joel Hanrahan earned his 32nd savefor the Pirates.

Neil Walker had a big day for the Pirates, 3 for 5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Rookie Starling Marte had two hits and two RBI.

Homer Bailey struggled for the Reds giving up four runs in 4 2/3 innings.  Burnett earned his 14th victory of the season against three losses.

Other National League Scores

San Francisco 8 – Colorado 3 – Hunter Pence went two for five with three RBI and Tim Lincecum won his second consecutive game for the first time since April, allowing five hits and one earned run in six innings of work

New York 3 – San Diego  7 –  Chase Headley and Yonder Alonso each hit two-run homers for the Padres, Carlos Quentin hit a solo shot in the Padres beat the New York Mets 7-3. Matt Harvey was rocked by the Padres for five earned runs over five innings

Chicago – Los AngelesAnthony Rizzo hit his ninth home run in a losing effort against the Dodgers. Joe Blanton in his debut for the Dodgers pitched six innings allowing two earned runs and struck out five.

Arizona 4 – Philadelphia 5   –  Ryan Howard singled home the winning run in the ninth-inning, Jonathan Papelbond earned the victory. Chase Utley also homered for the Phillies. Trevor Cahill took a no-decision for the Diamondbacks. Chris Johnson hit a two-run homer for Arizona

Miami 1 – Washington 4 – Stephen Strasburg bounce back from a shaky start his last time out and allowed three hits over six shutout innings and the Nationals beat the Marlins 4-1.  Bryce Harper had two hits, as did Adam LaRoche. Ricky Nolasco allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings

Houston 1 – Atlanta 6 –  Chipper Jones was  2-4 with a run scored and one RBI. David Ross hit his sixth home run of the season for the Braves. Justin Maxwell doubled and picked up his 36th RB

Milwaukee – St. Louis