A.J. Burnett pitched six scoreless innings as the Pirates defeated the Tigers 4-1 Friday night.

In my series preview, I wrote that the Bucs’ series against the Tigers would be a very tough one, due to the pitching matchups. Burnett did his part to make sure the Pirates took the most winnable game of the series, allowing just two hits while striking out four and walking three.

The Bucs got two runs in the first. Alex Presley led off with a double and Neil Walker singled him in, then came home himself on Garrett Jones’ double play. They got two more in the second when Pedro Alvarez and Rod Barajas singled and the Tigers made two errors on a ball hit by Burnett.

The Tigers scored a run after Jhonny Peralta and Ramon Santiago hit back-to-back doubles off Jared Hughes in the seventh, but Tony Watson got a big strikeout with men on first and third to end the rally. Joel Hanrahan picked up the save.

For more on the Pirates, check out Bucs Dugout. For more on the Tigers, there’s Bless You Boys.