Jeff Locke Leads As Pittsburgh Pirates Squirrel Away Fourth Consecutive Victory
Sep 8, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke (49) pitches during the first inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Locke‘s long-term fate with the Pittsburgh Pirates may be uncertain, but his performance Monday night was enormous for the team’s immediate future.
Locke limited the Philadelphia Phillies to one run through seven innings, a dominant nine-strikeout effort that boosted the Bucs to a 6-4 victory at Citizens Bank Park.
The Pirates (75-68) have won four in a row, although Monday evening didn’t finish as smoothly at it could have. AfterStarling Martestaked Pittsburgh to a 2-1 lead with two-run homer in the fifth off Phillies starterKyle Kendrick, the Bucs scored four in the eighth to seemingly put the game away.
However, relieverJared Hugheswas charged with three runs (one earned) as Philadelphia reinserted some drama into the proceedings. After a one-out single and a hit batsman, shortstopJordy Mercermade an error on a routine ground ball, inspiring Pirates managerClint Hurdleto replace Hughes withTony Watson.
Watson retiredCesar Hernandezon a sacrifice fly to make it 6-2 with two outs, but Chase Ultey laced a two-run double to bring the tying run to the plate. Watson then hitRyan Howardwith a 1-2 pitch before getting former PirateMarlon Byrdto ground out to Mercer, who amended for his previous bobble.
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Mark Melancontossed a perfect ninth inning to boost the Pirates 1 1/2 games ahead of Milwaukee and Atlanta – both of whom lost Monday – for the National League’s second wild card spot. Pittsburgh will gun for its first five-game winning streak of the season Tuesday night in the second of a four-game set against the Phillies.
Marte andAndrew McCutchenwere essential offensive cogs Monday, with each collecting three hits. Mercer and third basemanBrent Morel, playing in place of the injuredJosh Harrison, had two hits apiece. Mercer stroked a pair of doubles, including an RBI drive in the eighth against relieverJake Diekman.
Morel (double),Neil Walker(single) and pinch-hitterGaby Sanchez(sacrifice fly) also drove in runs in the eighth, when five of the first six Pirates reached base off Kendrick and Diekman. McCutchen had infield singles in the final two frames, giving him his third consecutive three-hit game and boosting his batting average to .311.
The early story was Locke, though. The left-hander responded to a wild start at St. Louis last week with his second win of the season over Philadelphia. Locke didn’t walk a single batter – usually a good omen for him – and retired the first 10 batters untilJimmy Rollins‘ one-out triple in the fourth.
Howard drove home Rollins with a shallow single two batters later, but that’s all the Phillies (66-77) could manage until the eighth. Locke finished his virtuoso night with three perfect innings. Another sign of his dominance? He induced 11 groundouts and only one flyout.
Philadelphia’sDavid BuchananopposesEdinson Volquezon Tuesday in another 7:05 p.m. start at Citizens Bank Park.