Coverage: A.J. going soft?

The Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo is tagged out at the plate in the fifth inning by Francisco Cervelli. — GETTY

BY JOHN PERROTTO

Sights, sounds and the scene at PNC Park …

• A.J. Burnett is certainly not the flame-throwing kid who reached the major leagues near the end of the previous millennium with the Marlins. He doesn’t even throw as hard as he did during his first stint with the Pirates in 2012-13.

However, at 37, Burnett has made the late-career transition from thrower into pitcher. That was never more evident than tonight when he recorded a second straight quality start — one run, eight hits, two walks — but did not factor in the decision in a game the Pirates eventually lost, 5-2, to the Cubs.

Burnett was far from overpowering as he struck out only one of 26 batters he faced, but he exited with a 1-1 tie.