Karstens nearly perfect in 2-hit shutout for Bucs

PHOENIX — Jeff Karstens has given the Pittsburgh Pirates a perfect start. Almost a perfect game, too. The recently acquired right-hander retired his first 23 batters before Chris Young’s two-out double in the eighth inning and finished with a two-hitter Wednesday in a 2-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Karstens (2-0) has not allowed a run in 15 innings since coming to Pittsburgh July 26 in a six-player trade that sent outfielder Xavier Nady and reliever Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees.