The Pirates’ recent success over the Houston Astros continued, Sunday afternoon, as the Pirates defeated the Astros 1-0 in one of the shortest games this season.
Jeff Locke went seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out four as he out-dueled Houston’s right hander, Lucas Harrell whose quick starts led to a game time of just 2 hours and 24 minutes.
“Harrell was very good today but Locke was just better…[Locke’s] fastball wasn’t where he wanted it to be, but at times, it was very good,” said Michael McKenry.
The Pirates were able to win without their best player, Andrew McCutchen, who was a late scratch from the lineup after complaining of soreness in his right knee. Both Hurdle and McCutchen stated it was nothing serious but they didn’t want to risk further injury.
“There was a small play in the last game against the Brewers. I slid home and something didn’t seem quite right. I didn’t feel anything but it just seemed a little uncomfortable,” said McCutchen who should be good to go for Pittsburgh’s next game against Chicago on Tuesday.
With the win, the Pirates improved to 14-6 over their last 20 games against their former division opponent. The Pirates finished up a 13-game stretch with a record of 9-4, including a 5-2 home stand against the Brewers and Astros.
Both teams failed to record a hit until Carlos Corporan’s leadoff single in the fifth inning. Up to that point, the only baserunners allowed were Brandon Barnes, Chris Carter, and Pedro Alvarez, all reaching via the walk.
Houston starter Lucas Harrell went seven strong innings allowing four hits and one run in that span. Unfortunately, the hit he surrendered went a little further than Corporan’s.
After Neil Walker grounded out to second, Pedro Alvarez drove a first pitch fastball down the left field line. The ball barely cleared the wall but it gave the Pirates a quick 1-0 lead. Michael McKenry followed up with a sharp single to left field to give the Pirates back to back hits before Locke was retired to end the inning.
“The ball was out in the blink of an eye,” said Hurdle of Alvarez’s home run off of a pretty good pitch from Harrell, “that reaffirms [Alvarez] that he can go out and barrel up a ball and drive the other way.”
The home run would stand up as the game winner thanks to a great start from Jeff Locke and two shut out innings from Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli. Melancon bounced back from a blown save the night before where he gave up a run on three hits.
“We wanted to get [Melancon] back out there as soon as possible. So, the 8th inning rolls around, he comes in and gets three quick outs on 13 pitches.”
Travis Snider had a one out double to left center field in the bottom of the sixth but was thrown out at the plate by centerfielder Brandon Barnes on a single by Gaby Sanchez. Snider collided with the catcher, Corporan, who was able to hold onto the ball to preserve the third out.
The Pirates allowed two hits over the last three innings and Jason Grilli came in to nail down his league-leading 17th save.
Photo courtesy of Yahoo! sports
