The All-Star break came at the perfect time for right-handed pitcher Jared Burton, a Rule 5 pick from Oakland two years ago who has been one of the best $50,000 finds in club history.
Burton is 4-1 with a 2.23 ERA in 43 games, with a 0.85 ERA over his last 27 games, three earned runs in 31 2/3 innings. But Burton was not available during an important three-game series in Milwaukee before the All-Star break. He was suffering from a sore side. And he blames himself for it.
During a long delay last weekend during a game against the Nationals, an argument occurred while he was pitching. During the delay, Burton did not throw any practice pitches, merely stood and watched.
Then when he made his first pitch when play resumed, he felt something pull in his side. He tried to pitch in a game in Chicago after that, but couldn't extend.
So the Reds shut him down and he will throw on Thursday after the All-Star break to determine if he can pitch or if the team will have to put him on the disabled list and seek help from Class AAA Louisville.
BREWERS 3, REDS 2: RHP Homer Bailey pitched his best major-league game, holding the Brewers to two runs, five hits while walked none and striking out four, but received a no-decision Sunday because he ran into LHP C.C. Sabathia, who hit a home run off Bailey and held the Reds to two runs and eight hits during a complete game. RHP Francisco Cordero threw one pitch in the bottom of the ninth and gave up a game-ending sacrifice fly to pinch-hitter Craig Counsell.
