 Competing against the lower talent level in the UA, Burns had the best year of his career.As a pitcher, he started 40 games (34 of them complete games) and compiled a 23–15 win-loss record and a 2.46 ERA in 329-2/3 innings.He also pitched a no-hitter on August 26, 1884, against the Kansas City Cowboys, the first of only two no-hitters pitched in the UA.