Pittsburgh — An Aramis Ramirez groundout in the seventh inning proved to be the only run the Brewers needed as bad luck bit the Pirates and Jeff Locke in a 1-0 loss on Sunday afternoon.
Locke had a stellar day on the mound allowing the one run on three hits. He started off the game by retiring the first fourteen batters he faced before giving up two tough luck infield singles in the fourth. He then got Ramirez to fly out to end the inning.
More bad luck struck the Pirates (29-33) in the seventh when Jonathan Lucroy led off the inning with a fan interference double down the left field line. Lucroy had thought the ball was going foul and had stopped mid-way down the first base line before seeing the fair signal from the third base umpire. Lucroy, instead got a free base due to the interference.
Carlos Gomez moved Lucroy to third on a fly out to right and Ramirez grounded a ball down the first base like that Ike Davis lunged for to get the out allowing the run to score.
“I was on the same page with Russ,” said Locke. “I think that always helps having pitcher and catcher kind of pick up where we left off before. It wasn’t a whole lot of dialogue between him and I before the game we knew that I was going to pitch my game.”
Brewers (38-26) starter Yovani Gallardo wasn’t as effective, but shut out the Pirates over seven innings of work. With Neil Walker on third and one out in the first, Gaby Sanchez hit a shallow fly ball to right. Ryan Braun made the catch and fired a perfect throw to Lucroy for the 9-2 double play.
The Pirates loaded the bases against Gallardo in the seventh with one out, but pinch-hitter Jose Tabata struck out after a lengthy at bat and Josh Harrison poped out to first to end the threat.
They again had a runner in scoring position with one out in the eighth after an Andrew McCutchen double. Sanchez moved him to third on a hard-hit chopper that Rickie Weeks was able to field. Russell Martin then worked a full count and seemed to had taken ball four, but home plate umpire Ed Hickox called the inside pitch strike three to end the inning. Martin was unhappy with the inconsistent call and threw his bat and helmet causing an ejection. Clint Hurdle then came out to argue and was ejected as well.
“I feel like I have a good eye at the plate in this situation and should have been on first,” said Martin.
The Pirates had one more shot in the ninth against Brewers closer Francisco Rodriguez. Starling Marte walked with one out and advanced to second on his 14 stolen base of the season. Ike Davis followed with a walk, as well before a Travis Snider fielders choice put runners on the corners with two out. Harrison flew out to short center field where Gomez made a lunging catch to end the game.
Final Score: Brewers 1, Pirates 0.
Starters Lines
Locke: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K’s. 75 pitches (54 strikes).
Gallardo: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 8 K, 2 HBP. 121 pitches (80 strikes).
The Pirates will now begin a four-game series against the Cubs beginning tomorrow evening at PNC.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
