A.J. Burnett threw 6 2-3 sharp innings to win his eighth straight start, Casey McGehee hit a three-run homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 Thursday.

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Pedro Alvarez also went deep for Pittsburgh, which split the four-game set in Philadelphia by winning the last two. The surprising Pirates, seeking their first winning season since 1992, are 40-35 and second in the NL central.

Burnett (9-2) allowed three runs and six hits, striking out seven. It's the first time a Pirates pitcher has won eight in a row since Dock Ellis in 1974.

Joel Hanrahan tossed a scoreless ninth for his 20th save.

Eric Kratz and Pence hit homers for the Phillies.

The Pirates jumped on Kyle Kendrick (2-8) for five runs before he recorded a second out in the first.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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