Pirates 5, Rockies 1
A.J. Burnett threw his first complete game in over a year to lead host Pittsburgh to a win in the rubber game of the series.
Russell Martin hit a three-run homer and Andrew McCutchen had an RBI single for the first-place Pirates, who maintained their 1 1/2-game lead over St. Louis in the National League Central.
Burnett (5-7) yielded a run and eight hits - all singles - while striking out nine to record his 23rd career complete game and first win since June 8. He has allowed one earned run in three straight starts. Burnett's last complete game was a one-hit shutout against the Cubs in Chicago on July 31, 2012.
Rockies starter Juan Nicasio (6-6) was reached for four runs on six hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. Since tossing seven scoreless frames against Miami on July 25, Nicasio has surrendered 12 runs over 8 1/3 innings in two rocky outings.
The Pirates needed just three batters in the bottom of the first to take the lead for good as Starling Marte led off with a double and scored on McCutchen's base hit to right. Garrett Jones made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly in the third and Martin greeted reliever Manny Corpas with his 10th home run of the season in the fifth.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Colorado's lone run came on an RBI single by Jonathan Herrera with two outs in the seventh. ... Burnett has a 2.58 ERA in six career starts against the Rockies. ... The teams meet again for three games at Colorado beginning Friday, a series which caps the condensed six-game season set.