The Pirates beat the Reds 2-1 Wednesday night, taking two out of three from the first place Reds and ending the night just three games out of first place. A.J. Burnett allowed just two hits in seven innings, as he pitched to contact. Twenty one of 26 Reds batters against Burnett put the ball in play. Matt Hague got the big hit, doubling in two runs in the bottom of the sixth.

The Pirates stand at .500, 25-25. They got off to a good start last season, too, but fell as the year wore on. We’ll see if they can avoid the fall this season.