Locke has strong start, Pirates lose 13th one-run game of the season

BREWERS 1 – PIRATES 0

Win: Yovani Gallardo (4-4)

Loss: Jeff Locke (0-1)

Save Francisco Rodriguez (19)

AROUND THE BASES

The Milwaukee Brewers (38-26) entered their three game series with Pittsburgh seven games ahead of the Pirates in the NL Central and they leave PNC Park with an eight game lead over the Pirates.

The Brewers took two of three against Pittsburgh, capping off the series with a 1-0 shutout win this afternoon at PNC Park.

Yovani Gallardo pitched eight scoreless inning, striking out eight and walking one, while allowing four hits.

The Pirates loaded the bases against Gallardo in the seventh with one out but Gallardo got out of the inning, striking out Jose Tabata and getting Josh Harrison to fly out to first.

The Pirates fell to 29-33 on the season as it remains a struggle to get back to .500. Pittsburgh has now lost 13 one-run games this season.

Jeff Locke took the loss and had a very strong start, allowing three hits and one run. He struck out five and walked one.

“Outstanding. Fastball command was spot on, the changeup played very, very well,” Manager Clint Hurdle said of Locke. “First pitch strikes, 15 guys retired with three pitches or less….. That’s how he pitched first half of last season.”