NATIONAL LEAGUE

Burnett first Pirate to win 8 in row since 1974

— A new catcher didn’t affect A.J. Burnett’s groove.

Burnett (Central Arkansas Christian) pitched 6 2/3 innings to win his eighth consecutive start, Casey McGehee hit a three-run home run and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 Thursday.

Pedro Alvarez also homered for Pittsburgh, which split the four-game series in Philadelphia by winning the last two. The Pirates, seeking their first winning season since 1992, are 40-35 and second in the National League Central.

Burnett (9-2) allowed 3 runs and 6 hits, striking out 7. The winning streak is his longest, and it’s the first time a Pirates pitcher has won eight consecutive since Dock Ellis in 1974.

Michael McKenry caught Burnett for the first time because starter Rod Barajas is injured.

“I was really impressed with McKenry,” Burnett said. “He was outstanding. I can’t say enough about him. It was a pleasure to work with him. He picked up where Rod left off.”

Joel Hanrahan pitched a scoreless ninth for his 20th save in 22 tries. He retired Hunter Pence on a shallow fly with the tying run on third to end it.

Eric Kratz and Pence hit home runs for the Phillies.

The Pirates jumped on Kyle Kendrick (2-8) for five runs before he recorded the second out in the first. He finished after allowing 5 runs and 6 hits in 7 innings.

“Gave us a chance to win, pitched deep into the game, which they needed me to,” Kendrick said. “We came up short.”

Drew Sutton led off with an infield single and Neil Walker walked. One out later, Garrett Jones hit an RBI single. McGehee followed with a three run shot to left. Alvarez then lined a home run to right to make it 5-0.

McGehee has five home runs and 15 RBI in June after driving in just six runs with no home runs in the first two months.

“I think at one point I was trying to do too much,” McGehee said. “I was with a new team trying to make a good impression. Then I went back to just trying to hit the ball up the middle of the field.”

Thursday was Burnett’s first appearance in Philadelphia since losing to Cliff Lee (Benton, Arkansas Razorbacks) and the Phillies in Game 5 of the 2009 World Series when he was with the eventual champion New York Yankees. With the victory, Burnett improved his record to 6-0 on the road this season.

ROCKIES 11, NATIONALS 10

Marco Scutaro’s RBI single in the 11th inning gave host Colorado a victory over Washington after the Rockies squandered a seven-run lead. Adam Ottavino (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings and struck out five, including all three batters in the 11th. Bryce Harper’s home run in the ninth off Colorado closer Rafael Betancourt sent the game into extra innings.

DIAMONDBACKS 3, BRAVES 2

Chris Young hit a home run against closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning, lifting Arizona host Atlanta.

PADRES 7, ASTROS 3

Alexi Amarista launched a grand slam for his first major league home run, capping a six-run rally in the ninth inning to lead host San Diego over Houston.

American League WHITE SOX 4, YANKEES 3

Dayan Viciedo hit a three-run home run in the ninth inning after a throwing error, and Chicago beat host New York.

INDIANS 7, ORIOLES 2

Johnny Damon and Asdrubal Cabrera hit three-run home runs to lead Cleveland over host Baltimore.

ANGELS 9, BLUE JAYS 7

Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo each hit two-run home runs to lead Los Angeles over host Toronto.

TIGERS 5, RAYS 2

Max Scherzer struck out seven in six innings and Miguel Cabrera had four hits and drove in two runs to lead Detroit over host Tampa Bay.

RANGERS 7, ATHLETICS 6

Leadoff man Ian Kinsler got 4 hits, scored 3 runs and stole 2 bases to lead host Texas over Oakland.

Thursday’s games NATIONAL LEAGUE Pittsburgh 5, Philadelphia 4 Colorado 11, Washington 10 (11) Arizona 3, Atlanta 2 San Diego 7, Houston 3 NY Mets at LA Dodgers, (n) Cincinnati at San Francisco, (n) AMERICAN LEAGUE Chicago White Sox 4, NY Yankees 3 Cleveland 7, Baltimore 2 L.A. Angels 9, Toronto 7 Detroit 5, Tampa Bay 2 Texas 7, Oakland 6 Boston at Seattle, (n)

Sports, Pages 26 on 06/29/2012

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