Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jeff Locke tossed eight solid innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates picked up their first series sweep of the season with a 6-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.
Locke (2-1) gave up two runs -- one earned -- on three hits for the Pirates, who swept the Phillies in Pittsburgh for the first time since April 19-21, 2002.
"Fantastic effort from Jeff today," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "Outstanding effort, really good."
Russell Martin knocked in two runs and scored a run for Pittsburgh, which went 8-2 during a 10-game homestand. Neil Walker, Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Jordy Mercer added an RBI apiece.
Marlon Byrd hit a solo homer and drove in the only two runs for the Phillies, who have been swept eight times already this season.
"Everyday grinder," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said of Byrd. "(He) produces, chips in. He's been one of our consistent bats."
Philadelphia starter A.J. Burnett (5-8) allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings. Before joining the Phillies this year, Burnett pitched two seasons for the Pirates.
The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Jimmy Rollins made it to second on Pedro Alvarez's throwing error and crossed the plate on Byrd's single to left.
But the Pirates responded with two runs in the bottom half. With two outs, McCutchen and Walker hit back-to-back singles to put men on the corners. After Walker stole second, Martin hit a two-run double to right.
Josh Harrison scored on Walker's sacrifice fly in the third to make it 3-1. Harrison led off with a triple to right-center field.
Byrd's solo homer in the seventh cut the gap to one.
The Pirates tacked on three insurance runs in the eighth. With Justin De Fratus pitching, Harrison reached second on Cody Asche's fielding error. McCutchen followed with an RBI triple off the wall in right-center field. Jake Diekman came in from the bullpen and loaded the bases with one out. Marte's RBI single and Mercer's sacrifice fly made it 6-2.
Game Notes
The Pirates (47-41) moved a season-high six games over .500, while the Phillies (37-51) fell a season-high 14 games below .500 ... Pittsburgh placed infielder Clint Barmes on the 15-day disabled list prior to Sunday's game and recalled infielder Michael Martinez from Triple-A Indianapolis.
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