Locke, Bucs locked in against Marlins

Associated Press

MIAMI

Jeff Locke tossed a three-hitter and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Miami Marlins 10-0 on Monday night.

Gregory Polanco’s grand slam, Sean Rodriguez’s two-run homer, and David Freese’s four hits helped power the offense for the Pirates, who won the first of a four-game series in Miami. The first two games were originally scheduled to be played in Puerto Rico, but were moved due to concerns of the Zika virus.

Locke (4-3) struck out one and did not walk a batter while throwing 67 of 105 pitches for strikes. It was his first complete game in 101 career starts. Locke retired 19 straight at one point and needed just six pitches to get through the seventh inning.

The announced crowd of 10,856 was a season-low for the Marlins, who entered the day averaging just under 20,000.

Marlins starter Justin Nicolino (2-3) allowed three runs and six hits in five innings.

Nicolino left in the sixth after giving up a leadoff single to Andrew McCutchen with the Marlins trailing 2-0. Jose Urena relieved Nicolino and eventually loaded the bases for Polanco, who deposited a 2-1 change-up into the seats in right-center field for a 7-0 lead.

Rangers 9, Indians 2

CLEVELAND

Nomar Mazara hit a three-run homer, Ian Desmond had a two-run shot and the Texas Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 9-2 on Monday night.

Derek Holland (4-4) pitched six innings and gave up one run — a solo homer by Mike Napoli — to win for the first time since April 30.

Josh Tomlin (7-1) lasted 32/3 innings and lost for the first time since Sept. 15. The right-hander was 12-0 in 13 starts following a Cleveland loss dating back to last season.

Desmond, the game’s second batter, gave Texas a quick lead with a homer into the left-field bleachers. Mazara, who is having an impressive rookie season, hit his ninth homer to dead center during a four-run fourth.

Elvis Andrus was 3 for 4 with an RBI and has hit safely in 28 of 29 career games at Progressive Field

Indians manager Terry Francona was ejected in the third inning by plate umpire Manny Gonzalez. Francona argued that the Rangers’ Mitch Moreland should have been called out for running inside the baseline while going to first base after hitting a ground ball. Moreland was hit in the back of the helmet by a throw from Tomlin, allowing a run to score and giving Texas a 4-0 lead.

Francona came on the field and had a lengthy discussion with Gonzalez. He was ejected after he went back to the dugout, and then returned to the field for a heated argument with the umpire.

Marlon Byrd was 4 for 4 with a home run for Cleveland.