MIAMI — In manager Clint Hurdle’s opinion, the best part of left-hander Jeff Locke’s surprising, three-hit shutout Monday was the fact it was backed by 10 runs and stellar defensive play.
“All in all, that may have been the best game I’ve ever watched in a Pirate uniform,” Hurdle said.
After the game, Locke got a congratulatory text message from the Baltimore Orioles pitcher Vance Worley. Locke is the first Pirates starter to toss a complete game since Worley threw one July 28, 2014. The span of 268 starts without a starter going the distance was the longest such stretch in franchise history.