The Pirates didn’t put up any big offensive numbers tonight but did enough to get the victory. They scored two runs and both of them were provided by Pedro Alvarez. In the fourth inning Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker started the inning with singles to put runners on the corners. After a Casey McGehee strike out, Alvarez lined a ball down the line that David Freese dove and stopped but couldn’t get an out on and Pedro had his first non home run base hit of the year. Alvarez got his second RBI in the sixth with a solid single into right field that scored McCutchen who doubled earlier in the inning. Alvarez also flew out to the warning track in the bottom of the 8th. Rod Barajas and Alex Presley added singles to give the Pirates seven hits on the night.
It was a perfect way for Burnett to start his Pirates career. He got what was only the second win for a Pirates starting pitcher this year (coincidentally Kevin Correia - who was scratched tonight has the other). He’ll be a fixture in the rotation for as long as he can maintain health and performance the pitching staff looks better because of it.
Great win for the Pirates who will try to win the series tomorrow afternoon. Erik Bedard makes the start.