Burns' brilliance receives boost from Reds' Trade Deadline chips

CINCINNATI -- For the Reds final game before Monday's Trade Deadline, Chase Burns worked through the rain and a unique delay while getting plenty of boost from hitters -- trade chips and non-trade chips alike.

Burns cruised through six innings and struck out nine as left with a 9-1 lead over the Pirates as the Reds were trying to claim their third game of the four-game series at Great American Ball Park. He allowed one run, two hits and two walks while throwing 88 pitches in the Reds' 10-2 win.

Among those who could be moved ahead of 6 p.m. ET Monday, Nathaniel Lowe was 3-for-4 with two RBIs, two doubles, a walk and two runs scored. Tyler Stephenson hit an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning on the heels of throwing a runner out trying to steal on Burns in the top of the first, and then later homered to punctuate the win. Although less likely to be dealt, JJ Bleday reached three times -- including a first inning single -- and scored twice.

Burns earned his 12th consecutive win, something only two pitchers have done for the franchise since 1900. The last to do it was Brooks Lawrence, who won 13 straight (three in a relief) in 1956. Ewell Blackwell won 16 straight decisions in 1947.

In 21 starts this season, Burns has a 2.35 ERA.

Burns faced the minimum without a hit allowed through three innings but as showers intensified in the fourth inning, he hit leadoff batter Jake Mangum and gave up a one-out RBI single to center field by Bryan Reynolds.

As Burns faced Esmerlyn Valdez, the field became unplayable and umpires ordered the grounds crew out to repair the infield with dry dirt and rakes. The tarp wasn't used and an unofficial delay of 25 minutes kept Burns idle. After he walked Valdez upon resumption, he notched a strikeout and got a grounder back to the mound.

Meanwhile, the Reds lineup gave Burns plenty of run support. It all started with Sal Stewart hitting a one-out home run to the left field upper deck -- his 24th of the season -- for a 1-0 lead. An RBI double to center field by Stephenson and RBI single to right field by Lowe made it a 3-0 game. Ke'Bryan Hayes' one-out solo homer added another run in the bottom of the second inning.

Lowe opened a four-run third inning with a double to right-center field and after a pair of walks from Pirates starter Mitch Keller, scored from third base on Matt McLain's bases-loaded sacrifice fly to center field. Elly De La Cruz's two-run single to right field opened a seven-run lead.

With a low pitch count (74) through five innings, Burns was given the sixth inning and struck out the side. He retired eight of his final nine batters, including his recording the 200th strikeout of his young career.