Stars und Sternchen! » fold rehabbing from inju

PITTSBURGH -- A.J. Burnett walked into the Pittsburgh Pirates dugout after falling two runs down to the Cincinnati Reds in the second inning Saturday night when his catcher decided it was time for a little pep talk. "I told him Thats all were giving up today and he said Yes sir," Russell Martin said. "Thats his attitude. If you give up a couple, its not the end of the world. If you give up a couple, youve got to keep going out there, keep grinding." Something the veteran ace and his resilient club do better than just about anyone else in baseball. A night after a stunning ninth-inning collapse, Pittsburgh responded behind Burnett, who scattered four hits in seven strong innings to lift the Pirates to a 4-2 win and a one-game lead over the Reds for the top spot in the NL wild-card race. "Go out, its a big game, its a big series, you want to attack," Burnett said. "We were able to do that and get through seven somehow. I felt like I got stronger as it went on." Burnett struck out a season-high 12 against three walks and became the first right-hander in the 126-year history of the franchise to top 200 strikeouts in a season when he fanned Joey Votto in the sixth. "I was just focused, I was locked in," Burnett said. "It was probably the best command of that hook Ive had in a long time. I had a put-away pitch tonight, and its lot different when you have those." Jason Grilli worked the ninth for his 31st save, his first since going to the disabled list with a strained right forearm in July. Martin slugged a two-run homer, and Jose Tabata added two hits for the Pirates. Zack Cozart hit his 12th home run of the season for Cincinnati, and Ryan Ludwick added an RBI but Homer Bailey (11-11) lost his first decision since July 26. "The story of the game is we didnt score enough runs," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "We just couldnt get much going against (Burnett). We got some runs early, then he settled down." The Reds rallied for a 6-5 win in 10 innings on Friday, turning three unearned runs in the ninth and Vottos solo homer in the 10th into a tie with the Pirates in the race for home field in the wild card round. It was the second gut-punch loss by the Pirates in three days. In danger of falling behind the Reds in the standings for the first time in since June 20, Pittsburgh reduced its magic number to three behind Burnett and a bullpen that regained its composure after a pair of potentially confidence-shaking meltdowns. Reliever Justin Wilson induced a double play to get out of the eighth, and Grilli -- an All-Star this summer after racking up 29 saves in the seasons first half -- looked like his old self while working around Ludwicks leadoff single in the ninth. "Im just a competitor," Grilli said. "I want the ball. I want to participate. Watching these guys do it for so long made me want to come back and do it with him. It was a big win, obviously, and a lot of fun to be out there." Bailey wasnt quite as sharp. Making his first start at PNC Park since throwing a no-hitter at the Pirates last September, Bailey was solid but not spectacular. An off night by Cincinnatis typically reliable defence didnt help. Alvarez reached with two outs in the third when Votto mishandled a slow chopper to first. Martin followed by taking a fastball from Bailey and sending it into the bleachers in left field to tie it at 2. Pittsburgh broke the tie in the sixth. Andrew McCutchen walked with one out and sprinted to third when Baileys attempted pickoff throw slipped past Votto and rolled to the wall. Justin Morneau walked to put runners on the corners, and Marlon Byrd hit a sacrifice to deep centre field to give the Pirates the lead. Bailey gave up four runs, two earned, and three hits with four walks and three strikeouts. "The loss is on me," Bailey said. "I had the throwing error at first base, I didnt execute very well, I made a couple of bad pitches. (The offence) gave me a couple of runs to work with early and I didnt take advantage of it. I gave them all back and then some." Reliever Zach Duke -- who spent six years in Pittsburgh during the clubs two-decade losing streak -- came on after Byrds sacrifice fly and immediately surrendered an RBI single to Alvarez that gave the Pirates a two-run cushion. NOTES: Cincinnati CF Shin-Soo Choo sat out after injuring his right hand while sliding into first base on Friday. Baker said he wasnt sure when Choo will return. ... Cincinnati rookie OF Billy Hamilton will make his second start of the season on Sunday. The base stealing specialist went 3 for 4 with four stolen bases in his previous start against Houston on Wednesday. ... The series concludes on Sunday when Pittsburghs Jeff Locke (10-6, 3.27 ERA) faces Cincinnatis Bronson Arroyo (13-11, 3.56). Custom Tampa Bay Rays Jerseys . 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One day earlier, though, fellow Toronto Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri wasnt so sure his home and native land could pull off the win against the United States in the semi-finals of the Olympic hockey tournament.ST. LOUIS - Rookie Greg Robinson has been getting double duty at guard and tackle in training camp for the St. Louis Rams. The No. 2 pick has been equal to the task. "They need me to cross train," Robinson said Tuesday night after practicing in 90-degree heat. "Im just trying my best to learn it all." Robinson projects as a main tackle eventually, but being versatile is always a plus. He admits its been difficult mentally at times. Since getting drafted, Robinson has been quizzed about the complexity of the Rams offence compared with Auburns straightforward schemes. Hes getting a little weary of it, calling it "the question of the whole camp." "They expect me to know it and Ive been working hard and Im coming along," Robinson said. "Theres a few things I dont remember, but Im coming along well and starting to play a little faster." The Rams had a need early in camp with left tackle Jake Long and guard Rodger Saffold rehabbing from injuries. Even though both likely will play in the third preseason game at Cleveland, Robinson will be alternating spots again. Hell start at left guard and move to left tackle after Longs day is done. Saffold, whos been hampered by a stinger in his left shoulder, can relate to Robinsons challenge. Hes settling in at right guard this season, but last year he had five starts at right guard, three starts at right tackle and one at left tackle. "I just hope that its good for him to be able to see the big picture," Saffold said. "The more you know, the better understanding, the better you react to blitzes and other things that you can see out of the corner of your eye, which is great.dddddddddddd" Robinson left Auburn after two seasons and at age 21 is the second-youngest player in camp. The Rams are factoring in the youth element, anticipating hell grow into his role, but hes already good enough to start at two spots. "A lot of people say I look better at tackle than guard, but thats all opinions," Robinson said. "Im just trying my best to learn." Saffolds injury is to the same shoulder that brought him back to St. Louis after signing a free agent deal with Oakland, but then failing his physical. He said hes felt ready for a couple of weeks, but that the teams medical staff is playing it safe. He was hurt in practice when he got hit from two angles at the same time. He did individual work Tuesday. "It was nowhere as bad as the last time," Saffold said. "I know they want to be super cautious and thats fine," Saffold said. Ready to get to work, too. "I feel in shape, I feel rested, good all the way around," he said. "Im just itching to hit somebody else." Notes: Former Rams LB Isiah Robertson was among those watching practice on the next to last day of training camp. 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