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PITTSBURGH -- Jeff Locke didnt have his best stuff Sunday. He didnt need it to shut down the majors worst team. Locke allowed three hits over seven innings, Pedro Alvarez homered and the Pittsburgh Pirates won for the eighth time in 10 games, 1-0 over the Houston. Locke (4-1) won his fourth straight decision and gave up one run or fewer for the fifth time in his past eight outings. He struck out four and walked three. "Pitched is the imperative word," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said of Locke. "He was behind a number of counts, his first-pitch strikes were below 50 per cent... but, that being said, he didnt give up anything. He was able to put a foot down, get balls on the ground when we needed them." In his past six outings, Locke has allowed 21 hits and seven earned runs over 37 innings (1.70 ERA). Despite allowing the leadoff man to reach four times, Locke permitted a runner to reach second base only once. "There were some pitches early on that were real good pitches that I felt I had real good command of, but there were times in the game that I fell behind 1-0, 2-0 and put them in some pretty good hitters counts," Locke said. "But I was able to make pitches and use the defence." The notoriously streaky Alvarez pushed his average above .200 for just the second time since the second game of the season. His eighth home run came on the first pitch and was an opposite field line drive down the left field line in the fifth. Alvarezs most recent homer was Friday -- a titanic shot that reached the Allegheny River. Hurdle quipped that his third baseman followed up arguably his longest career home run with perhaps his shortest. "I just remember hitting it and knowing that it was going to be fair," said Alvarez, who also walked in the second and flied out to the wall in centre in the seventh. "But I didnt know if it was going to carry as much as it did." Alvarezs longball -- his third in eight games -- was the lone mistake by Astros starter Lucas Harrell, who lost his third consecutive decision despite allowing four hits and one walk in seven innings. Through 6 1-3 innings, Alvarezs home run and Sniders double were the only balls to leave the infield off Harrell (3-5), who had a single in a rare plate appearance for an American League pitcher. "Today felt like the first game this season that I dominated both sides of the plate with my sinker," Harrell said. "(Catcher Carlos Corporan) did a great job with his homework. He had a really good game plan and I just followed along." Pittsburghs other chance at scoring came the prior inning, when Travis Snider was thrown out at the plate by centre fielder Brandon Barnes on a two-out single by Gaby Sanchez. The throw easily beat Snider, who had doubled, and Sniders shoulder to the chest of Corporan did not jar the ball loose. Off to their best 44-game start since 1991, the Pirates (26-18) have the National Leagues third-best record. They won despite the absence of outfielder Andrew McCutchen, who was a late scratch because of soreness in his right knee. McCutchen said he was put at ease after an examination by medical personnel Sunday and that he expects to play in the Pirates next game Tuesday. Hurdle said he could have used McCutchen in an emergency. A day after his 13-game scoreless streak came to an end, Mark Melancon worked a perfect eighth and Jason Grilli finished with a 1-2-3 ninth for his majors-leading 17th save. The Astros, who won in 11 innings Saturday night, did not have an extra-base hit. "Their guy (Locke) did a good job," Houston manager Bo Porter said. "He changed speeds, pitched to both sides of the plate and kept us away from the barrel. Sometimes youve got to tip your cap and give credit to the other guy." NOTES: Astros SS Ronny Cedeno was scratched from the lineup late Sunday morning because of a sinus infection. ... Houston has won three of its 11 series played this season while Pittsburgh is 8-2-2 in its past 12 series. ... The Pirates are off Monday but then play on 16 consecutive days. They open up a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on Tuesday. ... Astros LHP Dallas Keuchel will make his third start of the season in the opener of a three-game series in Kansas City on Monday. Trevon Wesco Youth Jersey .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. Jamal Adams Jets Jersey . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. http://www.authenticnyjetspro.com/Joe-klecko-jets-jersey/ . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. Dennis Byrd Jets Jersey .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. Curtis Martin Womens Jersey . Tevez, who has had conflicts with coaches in the past, has not been called up since Sabella was named coach in 2011. Argentina boasts Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria. The Latest on the World Series (all times Eastern):8:55 p.m.Chicago Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber is traveling to Cleveland ahead of Game 1 of the World Series.A person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Schwarber would join the team in Ohio, but the person did not know yet if the slugger would be on the active roster.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the roster wont be announced until Tuesday.Schwarber is coming back from major left knee surgery in April. He went 1 for 3 with a double and a walk in Mesas 7-2 victory over Surprise in the Arizona Fall League on Monday.---5:50 p.m.The Chicago Cubs are keeping the light on for slugger Kyle Schwarber.Manager Joe Maddon said Schwarber will play in the Arizona Fall League on Monday and the team will wait until the last second before deciding whether to put Schwarber on the World Series roster. Schwarber hasnt played since tearing a pair of ligaments in his left knee in April.Maddon said Schwarber is running really well and even sliding in an attempt to give the knee as much stress as possible. Schwarber would primarily be available as a designated hitter.First baseman Anthony Rizzo said hes been amazed at Schwarbers focus during his rehab. Schwarber has spent countless long days at the ballpark undergoing therapy then sticking around to watch the game that night, unusual for injured players. Rizzo joked he told Schwarber to stop watching video of his swing and just watch baseball and enjoy it.The World Series rosters are due at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning.---5:44 p.m.Indians manager Terry Francona said right-hander Danny Salazar will be on the World Series roster.Salazar has not pitched since Sept. 9 because of forearm tightness. He pitched in a simulated game Sunday and Francona said Salazar is ready.---5:30 p.m.Fans hoping to see the Cubs play in the World Series for the first time since 1945 are finding a seat could cost more than what their grandparents paid for their houses.A look at ticket-selling sites on the internet Monday reveals ticket owners are willing to part with theirs for thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. Ticket brokers say fans are starting to spend as much as $12,000.Fans with more creativity than money are making some unusual offers.Ticket owners who like to ski might be interested in the offer from a Southern California woman for a week in her mountain cabin for a couple of tickets. A Portland, Oregon, firefighter is offering a Pacific Northwest tour in exchange for a ticket.---5:15 p.m.A sprained left ankle could keep Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis out of Game 1 of the World Series.Kipnis injured his ankle last week while celebrating following the final out of the AL Championship Series in Toronto. He said his ankle has improved, but says it isnt exactly a mild spraain.dddddddddddd I got it pretty good.The Indians host the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night in the World Series opener.Kipnis says Clevelands training staff has done a good job of reducing the swelling and hell just have to handle pain. Kipnis said the key will be making sure he has range of motion.He got hurt when he jumped and shortstop Francisco Lindor accidentally stepped on his foot.---4:50 p.m.World Series ace Jon Lester is all set to start Game 1 for the Chicago Cubs.Lester will be fully rested when he pitches Tuesday night at Cleveland. Corey Kluber will start for the Indians.The 32-year-old lefty is 2-0 in three starts during this postseason, with wins over the Giants and Dodgers in the NL playoffs. He was 19-5 during the regular season.Lester is 3-0 in three starts in the World Series with a sparkling 0.43 ERA. He helped the Boston Red Sox win championships in 2007 and 2013.Cubs manager Joe Maddon says Lester is really, really in the moment right now.---4:30 p.m.Cubs catcher David Ross said he would have been pulling for the Indians if Chicago wasnt in the World Series.Ross said he had wanted to wear a Party at Napolis T-shirt to media day on Monday in tribute to good friend Mike Napoli. He said he didnt get a shirt in time so he was wearing a blue Cubs World Series hoodie.The Cleveland first baseman and Ross were teammates on the 2013 Red Sox team that won the World Series.---3:45 p.m.The weather forecast is looking clear in Cleveland for Game 1 of the World Series.Its supposed to be right around 50 degrees with little chance of rain when the Chicago Cubs play the Indians at Progressive Field on Tuesday night.As of now, it might be a little more iffy for Game 2 on Wednesday night. Rain is moving into the Midwest and could be around the ballpark at gametime.---2:49 p.m.Pop star Rachel Platten will sing the national anthem before Game 1 of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs.Her hit Fight Song has been on the music charts for months.Country duo Locash will perform the anthem before Game 2 on Wednesday.---2:40 p.m.Two of Clevelands stars from the 1990s, Kenny Lofton and Carlos Baerga, will throw out ceremonial first pitches at the World Series.Lofton, the fleet-footed center fielder, will have the honor before Game 1 as the Indians host the Chicago Cubs. Baerga, a three-time All-Star second baseman, will handle the duties before Game 2.Indians fans had pushed on social media to have actor Charlie Sheen, who played Ricky Wild Thing Vaughn, a hard-throwing pitcher in the iconic movie Major League, throw out the first pitch. However, the Indians had already decided on Lofton and Baerga, who played together on Clevelands 1995 World Series team. ' ' '