Beginning a four-game set over the weekend at Minute Maid Park in Houston, the Pittsburgh Pirates have grabbed a 5-0 lead over the Astros after four innings of play. Credit the long ball for that.
The Pirates have gotten on the scoreboard quickly on Thursday. A home run from leadoff hitter Starling Marte put them up, 1-0. Promptly, Garret Jones launched a two-run homer making the score, 3-0. And then, in the top of the second inning, Clint Barmes also went deep, scoring Rod Barajas and giving the Bucs a 5-0 advantage despite just four hits.
A.J. Burnett has been on the mound for Pittsburgh and has continued his string of success, tossing 46 pitches over four innings, striking out three batters and allowing just one hit and no runs.
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