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CHC@PIT: Burnett fans six over 5 1/3 solid frames

On paper, A.J. Burnett's season hasn't been all that impressive. His ERA is 4.19, and he's just 3-2.

But if the Pirates righty hadn't been shelled on May 2 -- he gave up 12 earned runs in 2 2/3 innings against the Cardinals -- his numbers might be drawing some national attention. In his other six starts this season, Burnett's ERA is 1.79.

He'll look to build on his success in Wednesday's rubber game against the Reds, who counter with Johnny Cueto, at PNC Park.

Burnett grinded a bit against the Cubs in his last start, using 105 pitches to work through 5 1/3 innings. But he gave the ball to the bullpen with a 1-0 lead, which held as the final score.

"Experience and moxie got [Burnett] through," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said after the start. "He was exceptional to not give up a run, as much trouble as he was in."

Cueto didn't have his best stuff in his last outing, Friday, against Colorado, lasting 4 2/3 innings and giving up 11 hits and five earned runs. The 11 hits were a season high and included five for extra bases.

His ERA jumped from 1.97 to 2.53.

"I didn't feel good today," Cueto said via interpreter Tomas Vera after his last start. "I don't want to use excuses. What happened, happened. I have to get better for the next time out."

Cueto has only given up more than three earned runs in two of his 10 starts, but both times came in his last three outings.

Reds: Frazier saves choking man
Rookie third baseman Todd Frazier's quick thinking off the diamond probably helped save a man's life on Monday.

Frazier and teammate Ryan Ludwick were having dinner in downtown Pittsburgh when Frazier noticed that a man was choking.

"I was talking to [Ludwick], and I see it out of the corner of my eye," Frazier explained. "I said, 'I think that dude is choking over there.' ... There were two women side by side trying to give him the Heimlich. [Ludwick] said to get over there because I was the closest one. So I went over there and was yelling at them to get out of the way. They did, and I gave two pumps and it came out."

The unidentified victim, who apparently ate a large bite of steak, was extremely grateful for Frazier's assistance.

"He paid for our [dinner], which he didn't have to do, and said thanks a couple of times," Frazier said. "It was pretty surreal. I have never done that before."

Pirates: Hurdle to sit Barmes again
Shortstop Clint Barmes will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game Wednesday as he tries to fix his swing.

Barmes also sat in Tuesday's loss. Hurdle said before Tuesday's game that he hopes a three-day layoff -- the Pirates are off on Thursday -- will jolt Barmes back to the hitter Hurdle knew in Colorado.

"People here haven't seen the way Barmes can, and I still believe will, hit," Hurdle said. "I'm working with him on some specific things, and it could be a couple-of-days thing."

After going 0-for-9 in his last three games, Barmes' average is down to .170.

Josh Harrison started at shortstop on Tuesday. Rookie Jordy Mercer, who grounded out in his first Major League at-bat in his only appearance after being called up on Tuesday, may be a candidate to make his first Major League start, at shortstop, on Wednesday.

Worth noting
• Wednesday's game marks the Reds' 20th consecutive game without a day off. They get one Thursday before starting a three-game set in Houston. The Reds are 12-7 on the stretch heading into Wednesday.

• The Reds host the Pirates in another three-game series starting on Tuesday. After that series, the Reds and Pirates won't play again until Aug. 3.

• The Reds won their 1,000th game against the Pirates on Tuesday. The Pirates lead the all-time series, 1,038-1,000.

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