Pirates’ Burnett solid against sloppy Harvey

PITTSBURGH — A.J. Burnett insists this is it. That after 17 years in the majors, he is done whenever the Pittsburgh Pirates’ season ends, no matter what. Funny, nobody told his stuff. The way Burnett (Central Arkansas Christian, North Little Rock) is pitching at the moment, he hardly looks like a guy counting down the days to retirement. Dazzling the New York Mets with impeccable command, Burnett won his fourth consecutive start in an 8-2 victory Saturday, easily outdueling an uncharacteristically sloppy Matt Harvey to lower his ERA to 1.37, the best in the majors. Heady stuff for a 38-year-old who led the National League in losses, walks and earned runs during a forgettable and injury-marred 2014 in Philadelphia. “He’s like a kid in the back yard out there that’s having some fun that is being aggressive and very, very purposeful on the mound,” Pittsburgh Manager Clint Hurdle said. “He’s pitching as well as I’ve ever seen him pitch. He’s doing more. He’s doing his job.” One that is helping the Pirates linger around .500 despite an uneven opening two months. Facing one of the game’s brightest young talents in Harvey, Burnett (4-1) dominated, striking out 10 without walking a batter. “I just look at leaving it all out on the field, knowing it’s my last go around,” Burnett said. “It’s fun to pitch for [my teammates], to be around them. They bring so much out of me.”