Foltynewicz struggles as Braves drop finale

PITTSBURGH — Left-hander Jeff Locke threw seven strong innings, Gregory Polanco led another complete performance by the Pirates’ lineup and the Bucs beat the Braves, 8-2, on Thursday night to clinch a victory in their four-game series at PNC Park.

Locke bounced back from a rough start against the Cubs and worked seven full innings for the second time in his last four starts, holding the Braves to two runs on six hits while striking out six. Unlike Wednesday night, Pittsburgh’s bats backed up their starter, pounding out eight runs on 11 hits — including three from leadoff man John Jaso and Jordy Mercer and two from Polanco.

Polanco flashed rarely seen power in the second inning, launching an 80-mph curveball over the left-center-field wall off Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz — who gave up five …

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