Beltran powers Cardinals in rout of Pirates

Associated Press

St. louis

Carlos Beltran drove in a career-best seven runs with a pair of three-run home runs and RBI single in the first three innings, leading the way as the St. Louis Cardinals punished A.J. Burnett and the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-3 on Wednesday night.

Rookie Lance Lynn (5-0) joined Steve Shields as the major leagues’ only five-game winners, allowing three hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings with six strikeouts to beat the Pirates for the second time in three starts. Lynn has a 1.61 ERA as the replacement starter for Chris Carpenter, sidelined indefinitely with nerve issues in his right shoulder.

Burnett (1-2) entered with a 1.38 ERA but trailed 4-0 after six pitches. The right-hander surrendered 12 runs on 12 hits in 2 2/3 innings, as the Pirates tried to save their bullpen.

The runs allowed topped Burnett’s previous worst of nine on four occasions, the last time Aug. 26 at Baltimore. He allowed 12 or more hits for the seventh time, exiting one shy of his career worst Aug. 3, 2011 at the Chicago White Sox.

Pirates catcher Rod Barajas was ejected for complaining about home plate umpire Angel Campos’ calls in the second inning, tossing his mask in disgust after a pitch called a ball for a 1-2 count against Beltran. Manager Clint Hurdle was subsequently tossed for defending his player, his first of the season and sixth in his second season with Pittsburgh.

Beltran entered in a 3 for 32 slump with one double and three RBIs his last nine games. The slump started three games after he was moved to cleanup. He said after batting practice that he hadn’t been seeing the ball well but several times added that it was nothing to worry about, then turned it around with his first swing, a three-run shot to right that made it 4-0.