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Beltran Powers Cardinals to 12-3 Rout of Pirates

Sports

May 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Carlos Beltran drove in a career-best seven runs with a pair of three-run home runs and RBI single in the first three innings, leading the way as the St. Louis Cardinals punished A.J. Burnett and the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-3 on Tuesday night. Rookie Lance Lynn (5-0) joined Steve Shields as the major leagues’ only five-game winners, allowing three hits and two runs in 6 2-3 innings with six strikeouts to beat the Pirates for the second time in three starts. Lynn has a 1.61 ERA as the replacement starter for Chris Carpenter, sidelined indefinitely with nerve issues in his right shoulder. Burnett (1-2) entered with a 1.38 ERA but trailed 4-0 after six pitches. The right-hander surrendered 12 runs on 12 hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Rod Barajas and manager Clint Hurdle were ejected in the second inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday night. Barajas threw his mask after getting tossed by home plate umpire Angel Campos, apparently for arguing after a pitch from A.J. Burnett called a ball. The pitch came with none out, two on and the Pirates down 5-1. Hurdle apparently was tossed for protecting his player. It was the sixth ejection with the Pirates for Hurdle, in his second season with the team. Michael McKenry replaced Barajas at catcher for Pittsburgh, and the Cardinals scored two more runs for a 7-1 cushion.