Andrew McCutchen’s voice was amplified, broadcast throughout the stadium, during the postgame interview Thursday night. The brief fireworks had just ended, signaling the Pirates’ first victory in six days. Why, McCutchen was asked, did he shoulder responsibility two nights ago for the Pirates’ current struggles?
“Because it’s the truth,” he said.
McCutchen had three hits and the Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds, 7-2, finally scoring some runs after being offensively challenged throughout a five-game losing streak. Chris Stewart had two hits, Neil Walker reached base four times and Pedro Alvarez hit an RBI double. The offense capitalized on another strong start from A.J. Burnett, who won his first game of the season despite having a 1.66 ERA.
“It’s good for A.J. to do what he’s been doing all year and for us to actually put some runs up on the board,” McCutchen said.
McCutchen singled twice, doubled, walked and reached on a fielder’s choice. His swing on his seventh- and eighth-inning singles, line drives to left field, looked more like the powerful swing he has had in previous seasons.
The Pirates walked seven times and took advantage of three Reds relievers after forcing starter Anthony DeSclafani from the game after five innings.
“We tried to stick to our approach and be selective up there and work counts” Alvarez said. “I think that benefits us from a standpoint of being able to see pitches and also wear down the pitcher.”
Burnett (1-1) had a total of five runs of support in his first five starts. He allowed two runs in seven innings Thursday night and needed only 85 pitches. His four strikeouts made him the 41st player to strike out 2,400 batters and tied him with Dennis Eckersley for 40th on the all-time list.
“He’s on a mission in his own way,” manager Clint Hurdle said.
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The Pirates needed only two batters to equal or better their scoring in four of their past five games. Gregory Polanco doubled, ran through third-base coach Rick Sofield’s stop sign and scored on Walker’s single.
The Pirates finally found their way to a multiple-run inning in the fifth.
Walker opened with a single and McCutchen doubled off Todd Frazier’s glove at third, moving both runners into scoring position.
Starling Marte’s sacrifice lineout drove Walker in, and Pedro Alvarez doubled off the center-field wall to send home another run.
Frazier homered for the second time in the series, his 10th of the season, in the fourth. He lined Burnett’s first-pitch fastball out to left.
Marte dived for, but missed, Marlon Byrd’s leadoff hit in the sixth. By the time Marte recovered the ball, Byrd had reached third for a triple, and Joey Votto’s RBI groundout reduced the Pirates’ lead to 3-2.
Cincinnati had a great chance to tie the score, but Burnett and his defense prevented it.
Consecutive singles from Kristopher Negron and Brayan Pena put runners on the corners with one out in the seventh. Burnett struck out pinch-hitter Skip Schumaker on three pitches, the final two of which were swings over his curveball.
Alvarez dived for Billy Hamilton’s grounder and deflected it, but right to Walker, who threw to second for the forceout.
“[Stewart] said it perfectly walking off the field,” Burnett said. “ ‘We found your curveball.’ Seventh inning, but we found it.”
The Pirates added on when Kevin Gregg entered in the seventh. Walker walked, McCutchen singled and Marte’s hit drove across a run.
Josh Harrison later walked to load the bases. Stewart hit a two-run single into center field.
Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrinkPG.
First Published: May 8, 2015, 2:20 a.m.
Updated: May 8, 2015, 3:43 a.m.