Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Starling Marte hit a three-run home run
and drove in five runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates took a 6-2 win over the
Milwaukee Brewers in the second of a three-game set on Saturday.
Marte’s big night was coupled with a dominating performance from Jeff Locke
(2-0), who allowed just one run and four hits while striking out six in eight
innings. The Pirates have taken the first two of this set.
“Fastball command was good. He used the glove side. He mixed in the curveball
extremely well. Each pitch fed off the other pitch. Great rhythm and tempo
throughout the game,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said of Locke.
Jonathan Lucroy and Khris Davis each drove in a run for the Brewers, who have
dropped their last four games. Kyle Lohse (0-3) was roughed up for six runs on
six hits with three walks and four strikeouts over six innings.
“We got a long ways to go. This thing is going to turn. It’s certainly a
better team than this,” Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said.
Milwaukee took the initial lead in the game as back-to-back singles to start
the contest left runners on the corners and a sacrifice fly from Lucroy gave
the team a 1-0 lead.
It didn’t last long, though, as the Pirates answered in the home half. Josh
Harrison singled and scored when Gregory Polanco doubled to left. Andrew
McCutchen then walked, and both runners moved up on a base on a groundout
before Marte singled them home for a 3-1 lead.
The score stayed that way until the fifth, when the Pirates added to their
lead. With two outs, McCutchen walked to keep the inning alive and Neil Walker
followed with a single. Marte then crushed a pitch over the wall in left-
center for his third homer of the year.
Ryan Braun’s leadoff single in the sixth inning was the only hit Locke allowed
after that.
After working flawless seventh and eighth innings, Locke stepped aside for
Arquimedes Caminero, who gave up an RBI single to Davis in the ninth to
account for the final score.
Game Notes
Locke improved to 4-2 in nine career starts against Milwaukee … Lohse fell
to 6-3 in 16 games against Pittsburgh … Matt Garza pitches for Milwaukee in
the series finale on Sunday, while Gerrit Cole will toe the rubber for
Pittsburgh.
