Houston, TX (Sports Network) - A.J. Burnett tossed eight outstanding innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped a five-game slide with an 8-1 thumping of the Houston Astros in the finale of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park.

Burnett (16-8) allowed one run on four hits while striking out 11 to snap a six-start winless run. Chad Qualls worked a perfect ninth to finish off a badly needed win for the Pirates, who are just 5-16 in September.

Josh Harrison went 4-for-6 with two runs scored, while Jose Tabata drove in two runs and Gaby Sanchez finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Jordan Lyles (4-12) was knocked around for three runs on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts over four-plus innings for the Astros, who had their two- game winning streak snapped.

Scott Moore accounted for Houston's lone run with a home run.

The Sports Network