Reds rookie Chase Burns achieves strikeout milestones, but still seeks first big-league win

CINCINNATI AP Chase Burns has reached specific elite company in his first six starts in the majors However the Reds rookie right-hander is still seeking his first big-league win Burns became the second Cincinnati pitcher since with three straight games with at least strikeouts on Monday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers However he also allowed three runs on six hits in innings as the Dodgers posted a - conquest I feel like every start I m kind of learning and getting better noted Burns who is - with a ERA I mean the numbers don t show but you know it s been really fun to go through the process and learn Burns who had strikeouts against the Dodgers joined Raisel Iglesias as the only Reds pitchers with three straight double-digit strikeout outings According to the Elias Sports Bureau Burns is the eighth Major Leaguer age or younger and the first since Pittsburgh s Oliver Perez in to post three straight -strikeout games since the mound was moved to its current distance in He s also the seventh rookie to do it in three straight games and the fifth big leaguer to have at least punchouts in three of his first six games We re trying to build for the future with him and win now with him I think the kid is doing a good job Reds manager Terry Francona noted Burns the second overall pick in the MLB amateur draft has faced certain of the toughest lineups in the majors since being called up in late June Two of his six starts have come against last year s World Series participants His debut was against the Yankees on June and he faced the defending champion Dodgers on Monday night Burns second start was at Fenway Park in Boston as the Red Sox jumped out to a - lead in the first inning The -year old went only one-third of an inning and allowed seven runs five earned on five hits Yeah it s why I play the contest dream about playing and facing these guys like that going against a lineup like that So I m having a lot of fun Burns disclosed I m fortunate to be up here and I just want to keep learning and get better The one thing the Reds could help Burns with is run sponsorship They have plated only four runs when he has been on the mound in his starts and in only one of his outings has he left with Cincinnati in the lead You don t have time to sit up here and learn slow honestly Burns stated The boys want to playoff push and I want to be a part of that so I got to go out there and perform Despite the record Francona doesn t see any frustration from Burns I think he s fine He s a very mature kid or he wouldn t be here Francona revealed It doesn t get easier for Burns His next start is likely to be Saturday against the Atlanta Braves in the MLB Speedway Classic at Tennessee s Bristol Motor Speedway where more than tickets have been sold The major league attendance record is at old Cleveland Stadium on Sept when Cleveland faced the New York Yankees Burns played two seasons at the University of Tennessee and went to high school in Hendersonville Tennessee at Beech High School AP MLB https apnews com hub mlb Source