Jones powers Pirates to win

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

An angry A.J. Burnett outperformed the even angrier Los Angeles Dodgers.

Garrett Jones hit two three-run homers, Burnett became the first Pirates pitcher with 15 wins in 13 years, and Pittsburgh avoided a four-game sweep with a 10-6 victory over Los Angeles on Thursday.

Jones had a career-high six RBIs, and Pedro Alvarez also homered for the Pirates, who had lost six of seven. Pittsburgh had won just three of 10 during its longest homestand of the season.

“He came out knowing what’s at hand here, and to put a foot down,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “Then the game probably added to his edge, sharpened his edge, just because the game was all over the place.”

Dodgers slugger Matt Kemp and manager Don Mattingly were ejected during the top of the second inning, setting off a lengthy argument that was mostly directed at home plate umpire Angel Campos.

Los Angeles starter Joe Blanton later ran toward Campos as he was walking off the field after being removed following Alvarez’s homer. Ramirez also drew Campos’ ire for throwing his bat down in disgust after striking out in the sixth.

“We came here having won the first three games of the series. We’re not a frustrated team,” Mattingly said. “We’re not trying to cause any trouble. It’s not like we’ve lost 10 of 11 and looking for a fight. We’re here ready to play baseball. To have Matt taken out of the game is not right.”

The Dodgers, who lead the NL West by a half-game over San Francisco, had a four-game winning streak snapped. James Loney and Hanley Ramirez homered for Los Angeles.

The Pirates avoided a season sweep by the Dodgers, who had beaten them nine straight times, dating to last year. The Dodgers were looking for their first four-game sweep in Pittsburgh in 63 years.

Alvarez hit his 22nd home run as part of a 3-for-4 day. Clint Barmes added three RBIs for the Pirates, who entered the day tied with St. Louis for the NL’s second wild card spot.

Burnett (15-4) allowed six runs, seven hits, and a walk, and he hit two batsmen, but he was good enough to become the first Pirates pitcher to win 15 games since Todd Ritchie in 1999.

Burnett had seven strikeouts and bounced back from his first home loss of the season on Saturday.

Burnett, who called a players meeting before Wednesday’s game, got angry after the Dodgers took their only lead in the fourth when Ramirez hit a two-run homer.

As Ramirez rounded second base during his home-run trot, he circled his eyes with his fingers as he turned in the direction of Burnett. The gesture is a trademark of Ramirez’s.

“If you’re going to hit a homer, act like you’ve hit one before,” Burnett said. “The first batter, Loney, hit one, was very professional about it. Ran hard the whole way. I just thought he did a little something at second base.”