Locke, Marte Double Team Brewers In 6-2 Victory

Just what the doctor ordered - the first half Jeff Locke and second half Starling Marte in sync. Locke went eight innings, surrendering but a run on four hits, no walks and six whiffs while tossing just 99 pitches. He faced the minimum number of 15 batters from the fourth through the eighth, thanks to a DP.

Marte homered and drove in five runs with his two knocks. Gregory Polanco also looked good (except for an ill-advised throw to third in the opening frame), collecting a double and a walk. Fran Cervelli also added a pair of hits. Together, it was more than the overwhelmed Brewers could cope with last night as they fell once again to the Bucs, 6-2.

Plenty of reason for Starling to be grinnin' (photo: Fox Sports)

There is already some bad blood developing, even though the season isn't two weeks old. Cutch got nicked by a Tyler Thornburg heater in the seventh, and Arquimedes Caminero countered by smacking Ryan Braun in the knee. A warning was issued, but the point had been made; no free shots at Andrew will be tolerated.

Gerrit Cole faces Matt Garza this afternoon.

• The Pirates have a 71 consecutive innings errorless streak going on.
• The fireworks crowd totaled 33,961 fans. The Bucs got them to the Zambelli's show pretty quickly, as the game lasted just 2-1/2 hours.
• Ryan Braun hit leadoff for the first time in his career last night. It was the only spot in the batting order that he hadn't hit from during his nine years with the Brewers. The last time he was penciled into that slot was in 2007 at AAA Nashville. He did well there, going 2-for-3.
• Promising Buc prospect Austin Meadows is on a six-game hitting streak for Bradenton, with multiple hits in the first five games.