A.J. Burnett tough on Reds; Pirates back to .500

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

A.J. Burnett doesn’t have a trophy case filled with awards or a closet packed with All-Star jerseys.

The veteran right-hander does, however, own a pair of World Series rings and the scars from a tumultuous career in which he’s never seemed to really become the staff ace his high-priced salary demanded.

At least, not until now.

Burnett scattered two hits over seven innings, Matt Hague delivered a two-run double and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 on Wednesday night to move back to .500 (25-25).

The Pirates capped off their best May in four years with another solid performance from Burnett (4-2), who has embraced his role as No. 1 starter for a team looking to end 19 years of misery.

“I’ve been around a long time,” Burnett said. “I’m no All-Star, I’m no Cy Young but I’ve been through the battles. I know what it’s like to win. I know what it’s like to lose.”

Burnett, acquired in a February trade with the New York Yankees, escaped a potentially disastrous first inning then settled down to retire 17 straight batters at one point, with only three balls reaching the outfield.

Relying heavily on his fastball, Burnett silenced one of the National League’s top offenses by having them repeatedly bang the ball harmlessly into the PNC Park turf.

“He’s been very consistent,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. “I think that’s one of the things he was looking forward to was coming here and being ’the guy.”’

Joel Hanrahan worked out of a two-on, one-out jam for his 13th save as Pittsburgh ended the month with a 15-13 record, its first winning May since 2008.

Neil Walker walked and Garrett Jones followed with a single in the Pirates’ sixth. Both scored when Hague drilled a cut fastball to the gap in right-center.