Pirates avoid sweep, defeat Reds 3-2

July 21, 2013 at 4:51p.m.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Jeff Locke allowed only an infield single through six innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Homer Bailey to salvage the final game of their series with the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2 on Sunday.

Second-place Pittsburgh left town with a three-game cushion over the Reds, who won the first two games of the series.

Locke (9-2) and the majors’ second-stingiest bullpen limited the Reds to three singles, but issued seven walks and let a run score on a wild pitch. Jason Grilli worked the ninth for his 30th save in 31 chances. His only blown save came in Cincinnati on June 19. Locke had to miss his last scheduled start and couldn’t pitch in the All-Star game because of a sore back. There were no problems when he got back on the mound.