Pirates knock Cards to second place

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

A.J. Burnett scattered four hits over seven innings, Russell Martin hit a three-run homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-1 on Saturday night to regain sole possession of the NL Central lead.

Neil Walker added three hits for the Pirates, who improved to 79-56 and moved within three victories of their first winning season since 1992.

Burnett (7-9) gave up one run while striking out six and walking one. He received plenty of offensive help only hours after Pittsburgh acquired first baseman Justin Morneau from the Minnesota Twins.

Morneau arrived in the Pirates’ dugout in the sixth inning. By then Pittsburgh had things well in hand. Martin keyed a five-run second with his drive off Lance Lynn (13-9).

The trade for Morneau marked the second big move by the Pirates in five days as they try to beat out St. Louis and Cincinnati in baseball’s tightest division race. Pittsburgh brought in Marlon Byrd and John Buck from the New York Mets on Tuesday. Byrd homered in his Pirates debut on Wednesday.

Lynn has struggled since winning his 13th game of the season in a romp over Cincinnati four weeks ago. He dropped his fourth straight decision when he could do little to harness an offense that is starting to heat up heading into September.