PITTSBURGH — Robbie Ray apologized for keeping reporters waiting at his locker after the game. He’s used to having a little more time to cool down.

“Sorry, but I finished my work out later than normal,” the Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander said.

Ray pitched a four-hitter in his first career complete game and the Diamondbacks beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Tuesday night.

Ray (5-3) struck out 10, had no walks and threw 115 pitches. The left-hander set a career high by winning his third straight start and has pitched 23 2/3 scoreless innings during that run, all on the road, while also beating the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers.

“Coming off the two starts previous, it’s really feeling like I’m getting in the groove with all my pitches,” Ray said. “The biggest thing for me is picking up the pace a little bit. Get the ball back, get on the rubber get the sign and go.”

Chris Owings snapped a scoreless tie with a double in the sixth inning, and the Diamondbacks ended a three-game losing streak.

The game lasted 2 hours, 10 minutes, as both starters pitched quickly. Ivan Nova (5-4) allowed three runs in seven innings, losing for the just the second time in nine starts, though he broke an 0-for-28 slump dating to last season with a fifth-inning single. He retired his first 12 batters before Jake Lamb led off the fifth with a single.

“It was a very professional effort on his part,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. “He pitched well, but their guy pitched better.”

The Diamondbacks broke through when Owings doubled home Ray Fuentes, who singled with one out and was bunted to second by Ray.

A two-run seventh pushed the lead to 3-0. Paul Goldschmidt doubled off the top of the right field wall to start the inning and scored on a single by Brandon Drury. Fuentes drove in the second run with a groundout.

Ray is 4-1 with a 0.64 ERA in six road starts, compared to 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in five starts at Chase Field.

Lamb had two hits.

Trainer’s room

Pirates: C Chris Stewart (strained left hamstring) was placed on the 10-day DL a day after injuring himself while legging out the second triple of his 11-year career.