Locke, McCutchen lead Bucs to win
PITTSBURGH – Andrew McCutchen homered twice, Jeff Locke took a perfect game into the sixth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1 Saturday night.
McCutchen had a solo shot in the fourth inning for the game’s first hit and then a three-run shot to start a five-run sixth that increased the Pirates’ lead to 6-0.
McCutchen raised his season total to 13 home runs with his 11th career multi-homer game – second this year. The nine-year veteran’s batting average had dropped to .239 after going 9 for 49 (.184) with 16 strikeouts in his previous 13 games.
Locke (7-5) retired his first 15 batters before consecutive doubles by Scott Van Slyke and A.J. Ellis to start the sixth inning. Locke allowed one run and five hits in seven innings, striking out three and walking none.
Kenta Maeda (6-5) gave up four runs and four hits in five-plus innings.