Jeff Locke pitched 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball and Ike Davis provided his second big blow in as many days as the Pirates defeated the Cardinals 3-1 on Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park.
Locke started off slow allowing three hits through two innings, but picked his game up in the third inning after a Matt Holliday solo home run to left field.
Locke allowed three total base runners into the eighth inning and was able to keep the Cardinals (71-61) off of the board thanks to some nice defense by Josh Harrison. With a runner on third and two out in the fifth, Randal Grichuk hit a sharp grounder down the third base line. Harrison made a diving stop and was able to throw a perfect strike to Davis at first to end the inning. It was the final time the Cardinals had a runner in scoring position.
Tony Watson — who had thrown 36 pitches and earned a victory in last night’s win — relieved Locke in the eighth and only needed six pitches to get out of the inning.
“I know I want to try to go as deep as I can every time,” said Locke. “The opportunity to go back out for the eighth after a quick seventh inning excited me, gave me a little extra juice and I know we didn’t get through it, but Watson came in and did what he always does.”
Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless ninth after allowing a lead off single for his 24th save of the season.
The Pirates (69-64) were paced again by the bat of Davis. With one out in the second, Wainwright threw inside and hit Russell Martin on the arm. Davis followed with a first-pitch shot off of a speaker hanging above the right-center field seats to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.
“You know what pitches [Wainwright] has,” said Davis. “I’ve had a decent amount of at bats against him and had decent success against a guy like that, but every at bat is a battle with him and you just have to hit his mistakes.”
Locke helped himself in the third with a single and later scored on an Andrew McCutchen sacrifice fly.
Final Score: Pirates 3, Cardinals 1.
The Pirates have now taken 4-of-6 from the Brewers and Cardinals to keep them in playoff contention after a seven-game losing streak.
“We got a lot of grit,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “We don’t have a perfect club. We don’t play perfect. I don’t manage perfect, but we play and we believe in each other and we trust each other and wherever the game goes, we’ll go with it and we’re going to keep fighting and scratching. These guys love to play.”
Injury Update: Travis Snider left the game with “Left Hamstring Discomfort ” after beating out a bunt single in the third inning. Snider said he felt like his hamstring “was cramping” and will have a better idea in the next 24 to 48 hours if there is a hamstring pull or strain. Snider indicated the move was precautionary and did want to test running from first to third.
Starters Lines
Locke: 7 1/3 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K’s, 1 HR. 98 Pitches (66 Strikes).
Wainwright: 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K’s, 1 HBP, 1 HR.103 Pitches (65 Strikes).
The Pirates will have a day off before entertaining the Reds for a weekend three-game series starting Friday night.
Friday’s Starters
(RHP) Edinson Volquez (PIT): 11-7, 3.56 ERA
(RHP) Mike Leake (CIN): 10-11, 3.51 ERA
First pitch is set for 7:05.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
