ST. LOUIS -- This was Jeff Locke's fault.
Ten times this season, he's failed to put forth more than a five-inning start, and his latest shortfall was the Pirates' latest downfall to the Cardinals, 4-3, Tuesday at Busch Stadium.
Forget that he blew a lead after his teammates had impressively begun pounding Carlos Martinez, or that he was tagged for seven hits and three walks, or that two of the latter opened St. Louis' pivotal three-run fifth inning.
Just look at 40 of his 88 pitches being balls. Almost half.
Sorry, but that's unacceptable.
Whatever one thinks of Locke in general, that's not prepared or poised enough. And there's nowhere that finger should point but squarely at the pitcher, as he clearly grasped afterward:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD1vZTkAGv8
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