Pirates Get Blown Out By DBacks

With Jeff Locke taking the mound Saturday afternoon, Pirates fans had to feel good about taking on the Arizona Diamondbacks and Trevor Cahill who was just coming off the disabled list and making his first start since June 30.

However, Locke never had command today as he threw 85 pitches in 2 2/3 innings giving up eight earned runs. The Pirates would go on to lose the game 15-5.

Aug 17, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Martin Prado (14) in the on-deck circle against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

It was the third inning that cost the Pirates the game as Locke would get the first two men out on four pitches, but then the Diamondbacks would rattle off seven straight hits to score six runs in the inning. Cahill helped his own cause by bringing in two runs with a single up the middle and Martin Prado had the big hit of the inning a three run home run, his 11th of the season.

The Bucs didn’t go away quietly as they would plate four runs in the bottom of the third inning. Starling Marte would hit his 11th home run of the season to put the Pirates on the board and two batters latter Pedro Alvarez would hit his 30th, a three run shot.

That was all the excitement the Pirates fans would have to cheer about as the game got as close as 8-5 but then the Diamondbacks would blow the game open in the final two innings.

The Pirates pitching staff gave up 15 runs on 20 hits. Not only did the Bucs lose the game but also lost a game in the standings as the St. Louis Cardinals would win today cutting the lead to two games.