Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 25, 2013 ) Pittsburgh 6, Philadelphia 4

The Pittsburgh Pirates are on track for their first 100-win season since 1909, but manager Clint Hurdle isn’t taking anything for granted. “We’re happy with what we’ve done,” Hurdle told reporters, “but we understand there’s many more miles on this road to travel.” The journey continues Tuesday when the host Pirates carry a season-high nine-game winning streak into their three-game series against the Keystone State-rvial Philadelphia Phillies.

First baseman Ryan Howard will look to get untracked after going hitless in his last 20 at-bats with 11 strikeouts. “We need to get him right,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel told reporters. “Believe me, we’re going to keep trying.” Philadelphia stands five games under .500 after losing three of its last four contests, but second baseman Chase Utley has lifted his average by 20 points to .284 during his nine-game hitting streak.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet (Philadelphia), ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jonathan Pettibone (3-3, 4.17 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Jeff Locke (7-1, 2.06)

After going 3-0 in his first five career starts, Pettibone has gone eight straight outings without earning a win. He allowed three runs in six innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, when he retired the final 15 batters he faced. The 22-year-old right-hander made his major league debut on April 22 against the Pirates, allowing two runs over 5 1/3 innings.

Locke bolstered his bid for All-Star invitation against Seattle last Tuesday, when he yielded two runs over seven innings for his seventh consecutive winning decision. The 25-year-old lefty has allowed just three runs over his last four starts covering 26 2/3 innings. He is 3-0 with a 2.48 ERA in seven starts at PNC Park, and he tossed six shutout innings against the Phillies on April 23. Locke warmed up during Sunday's marathon victory over Milwaukee, therefore the Pirates may look to either right-handers Jeanmar Gomez (2-0, 2.76 ERA) or Charlie Morton (1-1, 2.50) to make the spot start.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Phillies have lost each of their last seven games and 13 of their last 14 when scoring three runs or fewer.

2. Pittsburgh has won its last nine home games that have been decided by a one-run margin.

3. The Pirates are looking to match their longest winning streak since 2004.

PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Phillies 3