Carter doubles twice, singles as Astros beat Pirates 13-7

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) Chris Carter was 3 for 3 with two doubles and four RBIs to break out of a spring-training slump and lift the Houston Astros over the Pittsburgh Pirates 13-7 Tuesday.

Carter had entered 1 for 13 with two RBIs in the exhibition season.

Pirates left-hander Jeff Locke was roughed up for six runs and seven hits in three innings, leaving him with a 9.00 ERA.

Locke is competing for a rotation spot with right-hander Vance Worley, who pitched four scoreless innings Sunday. Locke said the Pirates have given no indication regarding when a fifth starter could be announced.

With the Pirates trailing 4-0, Pittsburgh's Neil Walker hit a three-run homer in the third off Roberto Hernandez.

Carlos Correa hit his first home run of spring training, a sixth-inning drive off John Holdzkom.