Arrieta strong but Pirates win

Associated Press

BRADENTON, Fla.

Trying to earn a job in the Baltimore Orioles’ rotation, Jake Arrieta struck out five over four scoreless innings and allowed two hits Monday in a 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Arrieta, the Orioles’ opening-day starter last year, became the first Baltimore pitcher to throw four innings this spring training.

“I feel like I could go six or seven innings right now,” he said.

Left-hander Zach Britton, another of the candidates, allowed one run in two innings of relief, giving up an RBI double to Josh Harrison in the seventh.

Pirates left-hander Jeff Locke, also competing for a rotation job, gave up two runs and eight hits in 31/3 innings.

The 25-year-old pitched from the stretch most of the day. He threw his two-seam fastball to both sides of the plate, saw progress in his curveball and said his changeup was as good as it’s been this year.

“I think I just have to keep attacking guys at this point,” Locke said. “When the time comes to bring the team north they’re going to bring the best players that are going to give the team the chance to win every night. Obviously, that’s something you want to be a part of, but I have to just keep going out and be myself and do the things I do well.”

Locke was relieved by 26-year-old right-hander Phil Irwin, who could win up in the rotation or the bullpen.

He gave up one run and three hits in 32/3 innings with seven strikeouts.

Baltimore’s L.J. Hoes hit a two-out, RBI single in the second and Lew Ford homered in the third.