The Pittsburgh Pirates are the fifth team to reach 40 wins this season and Jeff Locke has been there since the first one. In fact, he’s the only pitcher remaining in the rotation since Opening Day.
AJ Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez are both on the DL, James McDonald is in AAA on a rehab assignment and doesn’t look close to returning, and Jonathan Sanchez was outright released back in early May.
That left Locke, who did nothing but go out and mow down Dodger hitters through seven innings.
“He was throwing strikes. If you were going to take pitches then were going to be 0-1, 0-2 in every at-bat. He made us swing the bat and we didn’t put too many good swings on him,” said Adrian Gonzalez who combined with Hanley Ramirez to go 0-8 in the game.
After back to back singles to start the bottom of the third, Andrew McCutchen drove a 1-1 fastball down the right field line for a two-rbi double. McCutchen advanced to third on a Garret Jones fielder’s choice, then was cut down at home on a ground ball to shortstop Hanley Ramirez. Pedro Alvarez hit a ground-rule double to move he and Walker into scoring position. Fife intentionally walked Snider to load the bases but Clint Barmes flew out to end the inning.
“I was able to put a good barrel on it and drive it to the opposite side and give us an early lead,” said McCutchen who is batting .342 in the month of June.
Locke scattered two hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out five. The Dodgers never touched second base, let alone score, off the 26 year old southpaw. Yasiel Puig, who had become a league-wide sensation for his production since being called up from AA last week, only registered one hit, a bunt single, while striking out looking to end the sixth against Locke.
Hurdle elected to pull his starter after seven brilliant innings, despite the fact that Locke only threw 75 pitches up to that point.
“I actually write a number down of what I’m looking for as far as innings and pitches every single game and with Locke I was looking for seven innings,” said Hurdle.
Mark Melancon pitched the 8th inning, giving up a single to Andre Ethier and a double to Jerry Hairston before striking out Juan Uribe to end the threat.
Pittsburgh would add to their lead in the bottom of the eighth on a Neil Walker sacrifice fly. Andrew McCutchen led off with a single and advanced to third on Gaby Sanchez’s blooper to centerfield. Walker hit a pop up to the first base side in foul territory. Adrian Gonzalez had to make an over the shoulder catch which allowed McCutchen to score from third.
Jason Grilli gave up two ground ball hits to start the ninth inning before shutting down the Dodgers to pick up his league-leading 24th save of the season. Puig hit a high chopper over Alvarez’s head to start the inning, then Nick Punto hit a bunt single that hugged the third base line to put two runners on for Adrian Gonzalez. Grilli was able to strike out Gonzalez and induce a foul out to the catcher behind home plate before striking out Mark Ellis to end the game.
Photo courtesy of Washington Post
