NLR’S Burnett sparkles as Pirates blank Cards

PITTSBURGH — A.J. Burnett’s first week with the Pittsburgh Pirates ended with a fractured right orbital bone. His first three rehab starts ended with losses, a 9.53 ERA and concerns the veteran right-hander couldn’t become the ace his new team so desperately needs. Never mind. Pitching brilliantly after a shaky first inning, the former New York Yankee pitched three-hit ball for seven innings to lift the Pirates to a 2-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

“I’ve been playing a long time,” Burnett said. “I think coming up here was my time to turn my switch on.” Consider it flipped. Burnett (North Little Rock), who missed the first three weeks of the year after the ball smacked off his face during a bunting drill in spring training just days after being traded from the Yankees, walked two and struck out seven while dominating baseball’s best offensive team.

“It got silly after a while just making pitch after pitch,” Pittsburgh Manager Clint Hurdle said.

Joel Hanrahan worked out of a two-on, one-out jam in the ninth for his second save of the season.

St. Louis starter Jake Westbrook (2-1) gave up 2 RBI singles to Pedro Alvarez, walking 2 and striking out 6 as his ERA moved from 0.64 to 1.31. BRAVES 3, DIAMONDBACKS 2 Tommy Hanson pitched seven strong innings, Dan Uggla homered and visiting Atlanta beat Arizona. BREWERS 9, ROCKIES 4 Ryan Braun broke out of a slump with a home run and two RBI, helping host Milwaukee beat Colorado.