Pirates Run Win Streak To 5, Top Marlins 5-1
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PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jeff Locke worked into the sixth inning in his first win in more than a month, and the Pittsburgh Pirates dropped the reeling Miami Marlins 5-1 on Tuesday night.
Locke (3-2) struck out six and walked four in 5 2/3 shutout innings for his first victory this season against a team other than last-place Milwaukee. Neil Walker hit a two-run homer in Pittsburgh's fifth straight win, and Josh Harrison and Jung Ho Kang had two hits apiece.
Miami rookie Jose Urena (0-1) failed to make it out of the fifth inning in his first big league start, giving up five runs in 4 2/3 innings. Martin Prado had an RBI double and Christian Yelich added two hits for Miami, which fell to 2-7 under manager Dan Jennings.
The Marlins recalled the 23-year-old Urena from Triple-A earlier in the day to make a spot start for a rotation beset by injuries. Urena was an impressive 4-0 with a 1.22 ERA in the minors, but the Pirates made quick work of his mid-90s fastball.
Kang singled home Harrison to give Pittsburgh the lead in the first. Harrison — who has multiple hits in six of his last 11 games — doubled home Jordy Mercer in the third and Walker then sliced his third homer of the season into the seats in left field.
That was more than enough to put away the Marlins, who have lost 13 of their last 16 games, a stretch that included Jennings replacing Mike Redmond. Third base coach Brett Butler was reassigned Tuesday morning, but Jennings declined to get into specifics. Lenny Harris took over for Butler in what Jennings expects to be a smooth transition.
There were no obvious issues. Then again, Harris didn't have much to do. Locke came in winless in his previous six starts as his ERA ballooned to 5.28, easily the worst on the starting staff. He seemed to find something during a no-decision against Minnesota last week, settling down after giving up three runs in the first.
The 2013 All-Star kept it going against Miami, pitching carefully to Giancarlo Stanton and taking his chances with the rest of Miami's struggling lineup. Stanton went 1 for 2 with a double and two walks. The Marlins left 10 runners on base, including at least one in every inning but the fifth and the ninth.
Pittsburgh has outscored opponents 30-7 during its five-game streak, hitting .306 in the process. The Pirates improved to 10-1 in their last 11 games against Miami at PNC Park.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: 1B Michael Morse was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained ligament in his right ring finger to make room for Urena. ... RHP Jose Fernandez will throw a simulated game on Wednesday as he continues his comeback from Tommy John surgery. ... RHP Henderson Alvarez is focusing on strengthening his ailing right shoulder and has not been cleared to throw. ... RHPs Jarred Cosart and Mat Latos will work off the mound later this week.
UP NEXT
The Pirates go for their second straight series sweep and third of the season on Wednesday when Gerrit Cole (6-2, 2.05 ERA) looks for his seventh win of the season. Cole tossed a career-high 8 1/3 innings and struck out 10 in a victory over the New York Mets last Friday. The Marlins, who have already been swept five times, have yet to announce a starter.
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