Jeff Locke strikes out nine, but Pirates fall to Marlins
By Todd Boyer
Jul 3, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke (49) delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Pirates faced the Miami Marlins, looking to rebound from a 9-7 walk-off loss to the Nationals the previous day.
Pirates’ starting pitcher Jeff Locke went 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs off eight hits and a career-high nine strikeouts. But despite his performance, the Bucs (60-41) lost 2-0 to drop their second in a row.
The scoring started in the bottom of the sixth, when Placido Polanco reached on an infield single, scoring Donovan Solano from third to give Miami the 1-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the seventh, Giancarlo Stanton hit a home run to left, extending the Marlins’ lead to the eventual final 2-0. The home run by Stanton was only Locke’s seventh home run allowed on the season.