For the second day in-a-role, there was a gem pitched at PNC. This time, it was from the visiting side as Andrew Cashner went the distance with a one-hit shutout of the Pirates on Monday night.
“He’s a good, good young pitcher,” said manager, Clint Hurdle. “I mean, it’s a power arm. He had a three-pitch mix tonight. The breaking ball, changeup, the fastball command. Not only was the stuff sharp, but he was very efficient throwing strikes all night long.”
Cashner actually had a perfect game going into the seventh before Jose Tabata led the inning off with a single down the first base line under the stretched glove of first basemen, Tommy Medica and into right field. He wouldn’t go any farther, though as Neil Walker flew out and Andrew McCutchen grounded into an inning-ending double play to end the threat.
On the other side of the mound, A.J. Burnett had a good start going for himself as he only allowed three base runners through four innings. He would get into some trouble in the sixth when he walked Alexi Amarista and Chase Headley setting up first and second with one out. Burnett would get a groundout, moving the runners up 90 feet, but would get Kyle Blanks to chop one back to him to end the inning.
Burnett wouldn’t be as lucky in the seventh as he allowed the only runs of the night. Ronnie Cedeno singled to lead off the inning and moved to second on a Rene Rivera single. Andrew Cashner would then bunt Cedeno to third on a force to second and Will Venable would hit a sac fly to make it 1 – 0 as McCutchen’s throw home was short. They would add another run in the inning when Morgantown, WV native, Jedd Gyorko singled home Cashner. Burnett wouldn’t last through the seventh as he left after the RBI single. He finished the night with eight strikeouts and three walks.
The Pirates would go down in order the rest of the way to end the game.
Final Score: Padres 2, Pirates 0
Starters Lines
Burnett (L, 8 – 11): 6 2/3 IN, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K’s, 2 WP, 1 HP. 107 Pitches (69 Strikes)
Cashner (W, 10 – 8): CG, 1 H, 0 R, 7 K’s. 97 Pitches (67 Strikes)
The Nationals were postponed, so the Pirates playoff magic number remains at 6.
These two will be back in action tomorrow night at 7:05 in game two of the 4-game set.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(LHP) Jeff Locke (PIT): 10 – 5, 3.14 ERA
(LHP) Eric Stults (SD): 8 – 13, 4.03 ERA
Follow Travis for Pirates news and in-game updates on Twitter @TBerardi_OVA or @Theyinzer
(Photo Credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
