PITTSBURGH -- It's impossible to quantify the effect one night's starting pitcher might have on the next's. But for the Pirates' staff, momentum is a real thing.
The last turn through their rotation, it's been a very good thing, too. Left-hander Jeff Locke completed a dominant one-through-five performance for the Bucs' rotation on Tuesday night, overcoming four walks to hold the Marlins scoreless for 5 2/3 innings as the Pirates won their fifth straight game, 5-1.
"I think this stretch of ball we're playing right now is the best ball we've played this season," Locke said.