Jeff Locke struggled in his final regular season start of the 2014 season allowing the Braves to score early and often in a 6-2 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday night.
Locke allowed six runs in four innings of work putting the Pirates in an early hole. Emilio Bonifacio started things with a 2 RBI single in the second. It followed a misplay on a line drive to Starling Marte and a fielding error by Ike Davis to extend the inning. Braves starter Julio Teheran helped himself with a 2 RBI single with two out in the third, and Justin Upton put the game away in the fourth with a two-run home run to left field putting the Braves (77-81) ahead 6-0.
The Pirates (86-72) had their chances against Teheran leaving seven runners stranded through five innings. They were able to break onto the scoreboard in the fifth when Andrew McCutchen — who seems to be heating up at the right time — hit a two-run shot to deep left field cutting the score to 6-2.
The Pirates then stranded runners in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings before starting a rally against Jordan Walden in the ninth.
With one out, Josh Harrison singled and Starling Marte reached on a fielding error. That forced Braves skipper Freddie Gonzalez to go to Craig Kimbrel, who struck out Andrew McCutchen and Travis Snider to end the game.
Final Score: Braves 6, Pirates 2.
The Cardinals lost to the Cubs 3-1 keeping the Pirates 1 1/2 games back in the N.L. Central. They can gain a 1/2 game with a win tomorrow as the Cardinals have an off day.
Starters Lines
Locke (L, 7-6): 4 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 1 IBB, 3 K’s, 1 HR. 86 Pitches (48 Strikes).
Teheran (W, 14-13): 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 IBB, 6 K’s, 1 HR. 96 Pitches (56 Strikes).
The Pirates will look for the series victory tomorrow evening.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Edinson Volquez (PIT): 12-7, 3.15 ERA
(RHP) David Hale (ATL): 4-4, 3.27 ERA
First pitch set for 7:10.
(Photo Credit: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
