7/31 Recap | Pirates 5 Cubs 0

AJ Burnett pitched one of the best games of his career, and one of the best games by a Pirate pitcher in recent memory with a complete, one hit shutout tonight vs the Cubs. He didn't allow a hit until the bottom of the eighth, when Adrian Cardenas had a two out single, breaking up what could have been AJ Burnett's second career no hitter. It was his tenth career shutout and McEffect owner Jon Anderson even predicted 170 days ago that AJ Burnett would throw a no hitter this season, tweeting "A.J. Burnett throws a no-hitter for the Pirates this year. Somebody favorite this." So close, Mr. Anderson.

The offense on the other hand got off to an extremely quick start, with a first inning grand slam from Neil Walker. It was the second grand slam of the season for the Pirates (Pedro Alvarez on 6/30) and the second of Walker's career. Many of you probably remember the first one, which came at Wrigley field last April on Opening Day. Neil also drove in the fifth run on a sacrifice fly. Andrew McCutchen did his thing going 3-5 and Travis Snider also singled in his first at bat as a Bucco, which was an infield hit to third base. He scored two runs as well in his debut.

A great all around game as AJ Burnett became the first Pirate since Todd Ritchie in 2001 to throw a one hit shutout. Bucs will go for the series win tomorrow afternoon with a 2:20 start.