At this time last season, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke was sitting with a 7-1 record and a 2.06 ERA on his way to making his first All-Star appearance of his young career. Needless to say things didn't go very well for Locke after that but the southpaw has made the long road back to being a contributor in the Pirates' rotation. After an eight inning performance Friday night in which Locke allowed only seven hits and a pair of runs while striking out seven, he's making a ... Read More
Locke, Pirates Lose Tough One 1-0
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 ... Read More
Locke to Make Spot Start
Jeff Locke will be called up from AAA Indianapolis to start either Sunday in the series finale against the Brewers or Monday in the series opener against the Cubs. "Our intentions are to bring Locke in," said manager Clint Hurdle. "Cole has shoulder fatigue and our intentions are to potentially start Locke tomorrow and move Charlie back a day. Our intentions are to do that, so that's the way we're thinking of doing that right now." Locke was scratched from his start at Indianapolis on ... Read More
Pirates Blow 8-2 Lead, Lose in Extras 11-10
A Jared Hughes throwing error on Jean Machi's sacrifice bunt allowed the Giants (21-11) to get by the Pirates (12-20) 11-10 in 13 after trailing 8-2 heading into the sixth inning. With the Giants leading 2-0 in the third after a shaky start by Pirates starter Jeff Locke, Josh Harrison, Neil Walker (RBI) and Andrew McCutchen all singled. Pedro Alvarez then came up and looked to have walked on four pitches, but home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi called ball four a strike. Alvarez took the next pitch he ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 5/4: Lineups, Jeff Locke to Start Tomorrow
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (12-18) look to sweep the Blue Jays (13-17) on marathon day. Edinson Volquez (1-2, 3.21 ERA) will look to bounce back from his defeat in St. Louis against Dustin McGowan (1-1, 5.87 ERA). Leading Off Clint Hurdle has announced that Jeff Locke will start tomorrow against the Giants. He also mentioned that Wandy Rodriguez has not had a setback in his rehab. "There's no setback, he needs more time," said Hurdle. "He is going to make another minor ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: Hurdle Talks Playoff Roster Competition, Extra Wild Card Spot
Follow @TBerardi_OVA The Pirates (87 - 63) look to bounce back after yesterdays one-hitter against the Padres (69 - 80). Jeff Locke (10 - 5, 3.14 ERA) will take on Eric Stults (8 - 13, 4.03 ERA). Leading Off Starling Marte is starting in left field and batting first. It's the first time since Marte has gone on the DL that he's started. "We're a much more dynamic team with him in left field," Hurdle said. Hurdle's Quotes On if there's a competition for playoff roster spots -- "There ... Read More
Vic Black the PTBNL in Mets Trade, Locke/Sanchez Optioned to AA
A couple of moves have been made by the Pirates prior to tonight's game against the Brewers. They have optioned (C) Tony Sanchez and (LHP) Jeff Locke to AA Altoona to make room for Marlon Byrd and John Buck on the 25-man roster. “This move allows us to give Jeff Locke a short break,” said Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. “It also allows Tony Sanchez to get back to the Major Leagues as soon as the rules permit us to do so. In addition, this gives us the opportunity to ... Read More
Pirates Game Day: Grilli Talks Rehab, Locke Optioned to AA
The Pirates (76 - 55) look to bounce back after last nights disappointing loss to the Brewers (58 - 73) in game two of this 3-game set. Charlie Morton (5 - 3, 3.42 ERA) will oppose former Pirate, Tom Gorzelanny (3 - 5, 3.60 ERA) Leading Off Marlon Byrd will make his first start as a Pirate tonight as he will bat in the cleanup spot and play right field. John Buck will be available off of the bench. To make room for these two on the 25-man roster, Tony Sanchez and Jeff Locke have been sent to ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: NH, Hurdle Talk Locke, Trade, Marte Update
The Pirates (76 - 54) return to PNC to begin the second-to-last homestand of the season as they take on the Milwaukee Brewers (57 - 73). Jeff Locke (9 - 4, 3.01 ERA) will look to get back to pre-all-star break form as he faces Kyle Lohse (9 - 8, 3.22 ERA). Leading off Today, the Pirates traded Dilson Herrera and a player to be named later to the Mets for Marlon Byrd and John Buck, the two should be in Pittsburgh for tomorrow's game. Neal Huntington's Quotes On the Trade -- "We've been ... Read More
The Pennant Stretch Begins
With 40 games remaining, Pirate fans have something to look forward to other than who they will sign in the offseason. They have a chance to watch their team lock up a playoff spot and possibly a division title. If the Bucs can take this afternoon's contest against Arizona, they would be in great position for, at least, a wild card birth, but this isn't a team that is looking for just a postseason birth, this is a team that is currently three games clear of the Cardinals for the NL Central ... Read More