Jeff Locke and Lucas Harrell were locked into a tight, well-pitched battle at PNC on Sunday as both pitched seven strong, but Harrell’s one mistake, a homer to Pedro Alvarez, proved to be the difference in a Bucco 1 – 0 victory. Locke enjoyed the fact that he was in a pitchers-duel as he did not allow a runner past second base. “It just motivates you even more to go out there and keep competing against him and the rest of their lineup.”
Neither team recorded their first hit till the fifth inning when Carlos Corporan led-off the inning with a single. The Astros would do nothing with the hit, though, as three straight groundouts ended the inning. The Pirates, on the other hand, took advantage of their first hit as Pedro Alvarez sent a Harrell pitch, which was out and away, just inside the left field foul pole on a line for his 8th homer of the year and a Pirate 1 – 0 lead.
The ball was also the first hit out of the infield for the Bucs on the day. “It’s the shortest homerun he might have hit.” Said Manager Clint Hurdle. “It’s good hitting. It will reaffirm Petey, “That ball out there, you can barrel it up and hit it out of this ballpark”.”
The one run would be good enough, though, as Locke finished the 7th then handed the ball over to the dynamic duo of Melancon and Grilli (Save # 17) to shut the door on the Astros for the series victory. Final Score: Pirates 1, Astros 0.
The Pirates will have a day off before a 3-game home series against the Cubs. First pitch is Tuesday at 7:05.
Starters Lines:
Locke (Win): 7 IN, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K’s. 94 Pitches (55 Strikes)
Harrell (Loss): 7 IN, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s, 1 HR. 97 Pitches (64 Strikes)
(Photo Credit: Peter Diana)
