PIRATES smack REDBIRDS again at PNC behind a A.J. BURNETT on the Hill and BUCCOS Back Stop MARTIN's Three-Run Shot..."WEEKEND BENDERS" REDBIRDS need to get the H*ll out of the 'Burgh...#PIRATESbiz

The Pittsburgh Pirates have the Redbirds numbers at PNC as St. Louis looks like a completely different team at PNC. Does anyone out there think Buccos Starter A.J. Burnett wasn't motivated by Francisco Liriano's Gem the night before...try again.

The Pirates hammered the Redbirds 7-1 as Starter Burnett went seven allowing one run and a free pass while striking out six. The Pirates cored two in the 2nd and had a big inning in the 3rd scoring five runs as that was highlighted by Pirates Back Stop Russell Martin's three-run blast off of Redbirds Starter Lance Lynn who didn't brings his A-Game or B-Game. Lynn gave up seven runs on ten hits while striking out four and walking three. Lynn's biggest mistake was that three-run bomb by Martin.

That was all the offense the Pirates would need as that Redbirds Offense was stifled again by Buccos Pitching. The Redbirds had six hits total as Allen Craig was the only Cards Hitter with a multi-hit game. The Buccos go for the sweep on Sunday as they are just a game up on the Redbirds. The Red Legs hold down the #3 slot in the Central as they are 3.5 games back of the Buccos and 2.5 games off the Redbirds as the Red Legs have the #3 Wild Card Slot on the Senior Circuit.