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Pirates Vs. Padres Preview: A.J. Burnett Tries For 16th Win

The Pirates look to rebound after Monday's 3-1 loss to the Padres with A.J. Burnett on the mound.

August 16, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (34) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE
August 16, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (34) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

The Pittsburgh Pirates look to rebound on Tuesday after dropping the opening game of their series with the San Diego Padres by a score of 3-1. Though it came to a San Diego team that is 16 games under .500, the 3-1 loss was somewhat understandable, as the Pirates were coming off a 19-inning win against the Cardinals which caused some havoc within their rotation.

On Tuesday, Pittsburgh will send ace A.J. Burnett (15-4, 3.54 ERA) to the mound to face the Padres' Jason Marquis (6-7, 4.08 ERA). The last time these two faced off, it was Marquis who looked like the ace, throwing a complete-game, two-hit shutout in Pittsburgh just 10 days ago.

Burnett has struggled in his last two outings, giving up a total of 11 runs (10 earned) in 12.1 innings pitched. Against the Padres, he will try to become the Pirates' first 16-game winner in 21 years.

The second-place Pirates sit 6.5 games behind the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central, but hold a half-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for the final Wild Card spot.

For more on the Pirates, check out Bucs Dugout and SB Nation Pittsburgh.

Photographs by dizfunk used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.