PITTSBURGH -- A.J. Burnett's "homecoming" was everything he could have hoped for. Except for taking a tough-luck loss.
The veteran right-hander allowed only one run in 6 2/3 innings but Shane Greene pitched eight strong innings and the Detroit Tigers bounced back from their first loss of the season with a 2-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.
Burnett (0-1) scattered seven hits, struck out eight and walked two.
"A very efficient, a very strong outing by A.J.," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle.
A fan favorite in Pittsburgh before leaving as a free agent after the 2013 season and signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, Burnett received a warm ovation from the PNC Park crowd.
"The whole night was humbling," Burnett said. "From people saying `hi' and welcoming me back when I walked through the tunnel to the clubhouse when I got to the ballpark to all the support I got from the fans during the game. I definitely felt like I was back home again."
The two walks cost Burnett, though, as he issued them back-to-back to Alex Avila and Jose Iglesias with one out in the seventh inning and the game scoreless.
Greene, who hadn't stepped in a batter's box since he was 14, struck out while unsuccessfully trying to bunt the runners up but Rajai Davis then grounded a single up the middle to score Avila.
Greene (2-0) allowed just three singles and two of them never left the infield. He had three strikeouts and no walks after the Tigers' six-game winning streak ended on Monday with a 5-4 loss.
"Throw strikes and pound the zone" the 26-year-old right-hander said in explaining his success.
The Pirates had scored 15 runs in winning their previous two games but were shut down by Greene.
"It was three punchouts and a lot of contact but not a lot of hard contact," Hurdle said. "We weren't able to connect the dots."
Greene has allowed only one unearned run in 16 innings through his first two starts of the season. Acquired from the New York Yankees in an offseason trade that also included the Arizona Diamondbacks, Greene also pitched eight innings last Thursday to beat the Minnesota Twins.
"Guys have made me feel welcome here from the beginning but it's been a little extra special to win a couple of games," Greene said. "I feel like I'm even more part of the team now. You want the guys to know you can contribute."
Joakim Soria retired the side in order in the ninth inning for his third save in place of closer Joe Nathan, who is on the disabled list.
Davis and Jose Iglesias each had two hits for Detroit while Ian Kinsler added an RBI single in the ninth.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander, on the disabled list with a right triceps strain, will pitch a simulated game Wednesday of at least four innings and 60 pitches. Ausmus is hoping the 2011 American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner might possibly throw as many as 75 pitches.
UP NEXT
Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano (0-0) faces Alfredo Simon (1-0) on Wednesday night in the finale of the three-game series.
Liriano, who is 5-8 lifetime against the Tigers, has not pitched since the April 6 opener at Cincinnati while spending time on the paternity list.
Acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in a December trade, Simon won his Tigers' debut last Friday at Cleveland. He has a 3-4 career record against the Pirates.
OUTTA HERE
Hurdle was ejected in the top of the eighth inning by home plate David Rackley for arguing balls and strikes. Pittsburgh is the only team in the major leagues without a bench coach, so quality control coach Dave Jauss managed the team.
The veteran right-hander allowed only one run in 6 2/3 innings but Shane Greene pitched eight strong innings and the Detroit Tigers bounced back from their first loss of the season with a 2-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.
Burnett (0-1) scattered seven hits, struck out eight and walked two.
"A very efficient, a very strong outing by A.J.," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle.
A fan favorite in Pittsburgh before leaving as a free agent after the 2013 season and signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, Burnett received a warm ovation from the PNC Park crowd.
"The whole night was humbling," Burnett said. "From people saying `hi' and welcoming me back when I walked through the tunnel to the clubhouse when I got to the ballpark to all the support I got from the fans during the game. I definitely felt like I was back home again."
The two walks cost Burnett, though, as he issued them back-to-back to Alex Avila and Jose Iglesias with one out in the seventh inning and the game scoreless.
Greene, who hadn't stepped in a batter's box since he was 14, struck out while unsuccessfully trying to bunt the runners up but Rajai Davis then grounded a single up the middle to score Avila.
Greene (2-0) allowed just three singles and two of them never left the infield. He had three strikeouts and no walks after the Tigers' six-game winning streak ended on Monday with a 5-4 loss.
"Throw strikes and pound the zone" the 26-year-old right-hander said in explaining his success.
The Pirates had scored 15 runs in winning their previous two games but were shut down by Greene.
"It was three punchouts and a lot of contact but not a lot of hard contact," Hurdle said. "We weren't able to connect the dots."
Greene has allowed only one unearned run in 16 innings through his first two starts of the season. Acquired from the New York Yankees in an offseason trade that also included the Arizona Diamondbacks, Greene also pitched eight innings last Thursday to beat the Minnesota Twins.
"Guys have made me feel welcome here from the beginning but it's been a little extra special to win a couple of games," Greene said. "I feel like I'm even more part of the team now. You want the guys to know you can contribute."
Joakim Soria retired the side in order in the ninth inning for his third save in place of closer Joe Nathan, who is on the disabled list.
Davis and Jose Iglesias each had two hits for Detroit while Ian Kinsler added an RBI single in the ninth.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander, on the disabled list with a right triceps strain, will pitch a simulated game Wednesday of at least four innings and 60 pitches. Ausmus is hoping the 2011 American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner might possibly throw as many as 75 pitches.
UP NEXT
Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano (0-0) faces Alfredo Simon (1-0) on Wednesday night in the finale of the three-game series.
Liriano, who is 5-8 lifetime against the Tigers, has not pitched since the April 6 opener at Cincinnati while spending time on the paternity list.
Acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in a December trade, Simon won his Tigers' debut last Friday at Cleveland. He has a 3-4 career record against the Pirates.
OUTTA HERE
Hurdle was ejected in the top of the eighth inning by home plate David Rackley for arguing balls and strikes. Pittsburgh is the only team in the major leagues without a bench coach, so quality control coach Dave Jauss managed the team.
7:05PM,EDT,April 14,2015
PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Detroit - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| A.J. Burnett pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Davis lined out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Kinsler lined out to left. | 0 | 0 |
| Cabrera lined out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Shane Greene pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Harrison lined out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Polanco lined out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| McCutchen flied out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| A.J. Burnett pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| J.D. Martinez grounded out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Céspedes struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Castellanos singled to center. | 0 | 0 |
| Avila grounded out to first. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Shane Greene pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Walker flied out to left. | 0 | 0 |
| Hart grounded out to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Álvarez reached on infield single to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| Cervelli grounded into fielder's choice to third, Álvarez out at second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| A.J. Burnett pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Iglesias grounded out to first. | 0 | 0 |
| Greene struck out looking. | 0 | 0 |
| Davis reached on infield single to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Davis picked off first. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Shane Greene pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Mercer grounded out to catcher. | 0 | 0 |
| Burnett struck out looking. | 0 | 0 |
| Harrison reached on infield single to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| Polanco grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| A.J. Burnett pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Kinsler struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Cabrera struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| J.D. Martinez singled to right center. | 0 | 0 |
| Céspedes doubled to deep right, J.D. Martinez to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Castellanos struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Shane Greene pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| McCutchen grounded out to pitcher. | 0 | 0 |
| Walker grounded out to first. | 0 | 0 |
| Hart struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| A.J. Burnett pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Avila grounded out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Iglesias reached on infield single to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Greene struck out swinging, Iglesias stole second. | 0 | 0 |
| Davis grounded out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Shane Greene pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Álvarez flied out to center. | 0 | 0 |
| Cervelli singled to left. | 0 | 0 |
| Mercer grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Cervelli out at second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| A.J. Burnett pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Kinsler flied out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Cabrera singled to right. | 0 | 0 |
| J.D. Martinez struck out looking. | 0 | 0 |
| Céspedes flied out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Shane Greene pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Burnett grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| Harrison lined out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Polanco grounded out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| A.J. Burnett pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Castellanos grounded out to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Avila walked. | 0 | 0 |
| Iglesias walked, Avila to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Greene struck out bunting foul. | 0 | 0 |
| Davis singled to center, Avila scored, Iglesias to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Caminero relieved Burnett. | 1 | 0 |
| Kinsler grounded out to pitcher. | 1 | 0 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Shane Greene pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| McCutchen grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 0 |
| Walker flied out to center. | 1 | 0 |
| Hart flied out to left. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Arquimedes Caminero pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Cabrera grounded out to third. | 1 | 0 |
| J.D. Martinez grounded out to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh's Manager C Hurdle ejected by D Rackley in the 8th. | 1 | 0 |
| Céspedes walked. | 1 | 0 |
| Castellanos grounded out to third. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Shane Greene pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Romine at third base. | 1 | 0 |
| Álvarez grounded out to second. | 1 | 0 |
| Cervelli struck out looking. | 1 | 0 |
| Mercer lined out to second. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Arquimedes Caminero pitching for Pittsburgh | DET | PIT |
| Avila grounded out to second. | 1 | 0 |
| Iglesias doubled to center. | 1 | 0 |
| V. Martínez struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| Scahill relieved Caminero. | 1 | 0 |
| Lambo in right field. | 1 | 0 |
| Davis walked. | 1 | 0 |
| Kinsler singled to left, Iglesias scored, Davis to second. | 2 | 0 |
| Cabrera struck out looking. | 2 | 0 |
| 1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Bottom of 9th | SCORE | |
| Joakim Soria pitching for Detroit | DET | PIT |
| Lambo grounded out to pitcher. | 2 | 0 |
| Harrison grounded out to pitcher. | 2 | 0 |
| Polanco flied out to right. | 2 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit Tigers | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Davis CF | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 24 | .250 | .471 | .250 |
| Kinsler 2B | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 14 | .382 | .436 | .500 |
| Cabrera 1B | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 18 | .471 | .526 | .735 |
| J.D. Martinez RF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | .286 | .306 | .657 |
| Céspedes LF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 18 | .343 | .361 | .514 |
| Castellanos 3B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | .194 | .278 | .387 |
Romine 3B
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .800 | .500 |
| Avila C | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | .222 | .440 | .389 |
| Iglesias SS | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | .480 | .519 | .560 |
| Greene P | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
a-V. Martínez PH
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .261 | .414 | .261 |
Soria P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Totals | 35 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 156 | |||
| a-struck out swinging for S Greene in the 9th | ||||||||||
| BATTING 2B: Céspedes (4, Burnett); Iglesias (2, Caminero) RBI: Davis (1), Kinsler (8) 2-out RBI: Davis, Kinsler Tigers RISP: 2-8 (Davis 1-2, Cabrera 0-1, V. Martínez 0-1, Greene 0-1, Kinsler 1-2, Castellanos 0-1) Team LOB: 10 | ||||||||||
| BASERUNNING SB: Iglesias (3, 2nd base off Burnett/Cervelli) Picked Off: Davis (1st base by Burnett) | ||||||||||
| FIELDING DP: 1 (Iglesias-Kinsler-Cabrera). | ||||||||||
Game Notes
| MGR HURDLE EJECTED TOP 8TH (ARGUING BALLS AND STRIKES) |
Game Information
| Stadium | PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Attendance | 31,755 (82.8% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 2:50 |
| Weather | 63 degrees, cloudy |
| Wind | 7 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - David Rackley, First Base - Jerry Layne, Second Base - Hunter Wendelstedt, Third Base - Bob Davidson |
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