Pittsburgh Pirates Power Through To First Place

Entering the game on Sunday the Pittsburgh Pirates were only a half game back of the first place St. Louis Cardinals. With a victory over the Cardinals they would leap-frog them into first place.

That is exactly what the Pirates did as they defeated the Cardinals 9-0, improving their record to 15-10. Jeff Locke picked up the win today, his third victory of the season.

Apr 28, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke (49) throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Locke had another very strong outing going seven innings, giving up three hits while striking out four. That is back to back starts, 13 innings, that Locke has not allowed a run.

With Andrew McCutchen given the day off, it was tough to expect what kind of offense the Bucs would get today. But the Pirates were up to the challenge busting out 13 hits and nine runs. Four of the 13 hits went for home runs.

Russell Martin got the offense going in the second inning by hitting a solo home run, his fourth of the season. The Pirates would maintain the 1-0 lead until the fifth inning when Jose Tabata would go opposite field for his first home run of the year. Tabata’s homer was his first since June 2012.

The Bucs would pick up one more run in the sixth and seventh innings when John McDonald would double home Brandon Inge in the sixth. And Garrett Jones would homer in the seventh. Jones’ home run was his second of the year.

The score would remain 4-0 until the ninth inning when the Pirates would score five runs on four hits. The big blow coming off the bat of Martin, a two run home run. Martin’s homer was his second home run of the game and fifth of the season.

The Pirates will look to keep playing good baseball as they go to their house of horrors when they go to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers on Monday.