After starting the season with three straight wins, Burnett has gone 4-6 since, including a 4-2 loss to the Colarado Rockies last night. Over 6.1 innings, the right-hander allowed thirteen baserunners, including five walks, but only four who scored. For fans perplexed by the box score -- seven hits and five walks only add up to twelve men -- the discrepancy is due to a four strikeout sixth inning in which Chris Nelson reached after swinging on a strike three wild pitch.
The outing quickly became a memorable one -- for the wrong reasons -- as Burnett served up a tremendous home run to Jason Giambi during his first at-bat in what would be a triumphant return to the bronx. Giambi, who hit 209 home runs in seven seasons with the Yankees, would collect two more hits and a walk to go 3 for 4 on the night.
The slugger has taken well to his role as a veteran bench player and his pedigree may have rubbed off on young star Troy Tulowitzki who also homered off Burnett. Tulowitzki, a shortstop who wears the number two in deference to Derek Jeter, has hit a home run in his last four games in New York dating back to a series earlier in the season with the Mets.