Burnett’s streak impressive, but not record-breaking
Right-hander A.J. Burnett’s six-start winning streak, which came to an end Monday night in a 2-0 loss to Milwaukee, was impressive, especially in light of the fact he won just eight games all last season in a National League-high 34 starts with the Philadelphia Phillies.
However, Burnett did not come close to the Pirates’ franchise record of 11 straight starts with a win that was set by Rip Sewell from June 15-Aug. 1, 1943.
The only other double-digit streak in club history was 10 by Dock Ellis from May 27-July 17, 1971.
Steve Blass had a nine-game streak in 1968 from Aug. 15-Sept. 24.
Burnett (May 19-June 28, 2012) and Ellis (July 15-Aug. 27, 1974) are two of seven pitchers with eight-game streaks along with Wilbur Cooper (April 14-May 27, 1921), Emil Yde (June 28-Aug. 3, 1925), Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes (May 5-June 8, 1929), Heinie Meine (Aug. 20-Sept. 22, 1931) and Vernon Law (May 21-June 26, 1965).
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Right-hander Gerrit Cole got 1/10th of a way to 300 last Sunday when he notched his 30th career victory in a win at Atlanta.
Even though Cole is just 24, winning 300 games seems highly unlikely to occur in this era of five-man rotations.
However, it is interesting to note that Cole notched his 30th victory in his 53rd start. The only active pitcher who has reached 30 wins faster is current San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Hudson, who got there in 52 starts with the Oakland Athletics.
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When Ryan Braun drove in a run on Monday night at PNC Park, it gave the Milwaukee Brewers slugging right fielder 95 RBI against the Pirates, his most against any team.
That ranks him third among current players in RBI against the Pirates after Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (146) and Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez (116).
The all-time record for RBI against the Pirates is 305 by Hall of Famer Mel Ott from 1926-47.