Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke started and ended his 3-plus inning start Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers the same way - with a walk. In fact, Locke combined with four Pirates relievers to allow nine walks in a 9-5 loss to the Brewers. Locke (8-6) came into the start on a five-game winning streak when pitching at PNC Park and had not lost since June 16. He allowed five runs on seven hits, while also walking five batters. After surviving the first inning, ... Read More
Short start proves too much for Pirates to overcome
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been finding ways to come from behind and win games but another short start, this time from Jonathon Niese forced a frequently used bullpen into action early leading to a 6-5 defeat to the Chicago Cubs. Niese lasted a season-low 3.2 innings a day after Chad Kuhl pitched and threw 76 pitches. He allowed five earned runs on eight hits with four of them coming in a two-run first inning. "I think it's just the consistency of the angle," manager Clint Hurdle said. ... Read More
Rodriguez uses bat, glove to secure series win for Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates closer Mark Melancon came in for the ninth inning to close out the latest come-from-behind game, this time over the St. Louis Cardinals — and, at Busch Stadium, something made him feel at home: his typical entrance music, AC/DC's “Thunderstruck.” What followed was a scoreless inning (extending his shutout streak to 20.1 innings), good for Melancon's 26th save of the season and for a 7-5 Pittsburgh win. The Pirates have made a habit of coming back late. Tuesday, they ... Read More
Pirates recover from early deficit, defeat A’s 7-3
This game had “loss” written all over it for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates trailed the Oakland Athletics 3-0 through two innings, and Jeff Locke was starting on the mound in a road contest. As good as Locke has been at home — posting a 2.96 ERA — he's struggled mightily on the road; he has a 7.36 ERA (36 earned runs allowed in 44-plus inning pitched) to show for it. And, tonight, after three innings Locke was already at 72 pitches. It had the makings of a short outing. But, after a ... Read More
Locke, McCutchen lead charge in Pirates win
Following the Pittsburgh Pirates' 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Jeff Locke had one more batter to face: 3-year-old Maverick Mercer, Jordy Mercer's son, in the clubhouse. Locke had thrown seven innings of one-run baseball but finally met his match as Maverick got several hits, which he followed with bat flips. Locke could smile, and the players were able to eat up the scene because the Pirates have now won two in a row after a dreadful, 6-20 stretch that dates back to May ... Read More
Nicasio fills bullpen role, Cervelli gets closer to recovery
After ending a three-game losing streak Friday night with an 8-6 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Pirates will look to extend their winning streak to two games tonight as Jeff Locke (6-5, 5.44 ERA) takes on Kenta Maeda (6-4, 2.64 ERA). Locke earned a win in his last start, which came Monday against the San Francisco Giants. Locke pitched 6.2 shutout innings while allowing three hits. The left-handed pitcher owns a 1-3 career record and 4.07 ERA in five games (four starts) against ... Read More
Pirates’ season hinges on next few weeks
In the eyes of many Pittsburgh sports fans, there's a bit of an empty feeling. The Penguins' season is over, and the Steelers' season hasn't started yet — so what now? Over the past three years, the strong play of the Pirates has tided fans over during the sports lull, but a stretch of poor play has some fans feeling blasé. Prior to Monday night's 1-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants, the Pirates had lost their last five games and 10 of their last 11. They are currently one ... Read More
Mets knock Locke out of game early in Pirates loss
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke took his medicine last start allowing 11 runs in 4.2 innings and a similar fate awaited him Wednesday night in an 11-2 loss to the New York Mets. After a stretch in which Locke (5-5) was the most dominant pitcher, his last two starts have his ERA at 5.92. Locke lasted four innings in this game allowing seven runs on nine hits. Three of those runs were allowed in the first inning. Each of the first three batters reached base before Wilmer ... Read More
Column: Locke’s start sends mixed messages
The Pittsburgh Pirates did not arrive in Colorado until 4:10 a.m. Thursday morning for their game against the Rockies, a makeup which broke up a homestand because of a postponed April 28 contest. It was a long flight to Colorado and quite possibly a longer return flight following an 11-5 loss, which left Sean Rodriguez shaking his head back to the clubhouse. Jeff Locke took the biggest hit of all, especially to his Earned Run Average as he allowed 11 runs in 4.2 innings of work. Locke ... Read More
Pirates overcome Angels’ rally
The Pittsburgh Pirates appeared to have run away from the Los Angeles Angels after a five-run seventh inning, but the visitors plated four right after, and it was game on once again. Despite this comeback, the Pirates came away with an 8-7 victory Saturday night. Jeff Locke (5-3) helped the Pirates end a four-game losing streak, pitching seven innings and allowing no walks for the second consecutive start. The Angels struck first for the second game in a row as Kole Calhoun hit a home ... Read More