by Joe KayAP Baseball Writer CINCINNATI (AP) - The preliminaries are done. On to Pittsburgh and the playoffs. Jordy Mercer had a triple and an inside-the-park homer, and the Pirates completed a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 4-2 victory Sunday that was mostly an afterthought for teams looking ahead to a rematch in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (34) delivers during the third inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Pittsburgh Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) PITTSBURGH (AP) - At 36 and the owner of two World Series rings, A.J. Burnett says he no longer cares about personal statistics. "It's all about the team," the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander said. "We've got something special really special going on here." Burnett, however, admitted it was nice to get a win Sunday. He hasn't had too many of them this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates' Starling Marte (6), Travis Snider (23) and Andrew McCutchen celebrate a baseball game win over the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Milwaukee. The Pirates won 5-2. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) by Will Graves AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jason Grilli gets it. Really, he does. The angst. The dread. The perpetual waiting for it to all fall apart. The Pirates closer totally understands why Pittsburgh's tormented, long-suffering fan base treats every victory with a mix of glee and trepidation.
Pittsburgh Pirates' Starling Marte, left, Travis Snider, center, and Andrew McCutchen celebrate after a baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field,...
HOT HITTER--Pittsburgh Pirates' Russell Martin, right, is congratulated by teammate John McDonald after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 28, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) by R.B. Fallstrom ST. LOUIS (AP) — It was a milestone day for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who took the NL Central lead for the first time since last July and reached 15 wins in April for the first time since 1992.
RELIABLE RESERVE--Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Josh Harrison throws to first base during a baseball spring training workout, Feb. 13, in Bradenton, Fla....
