PITTSBURGH — It hasn’t been the easiest fall for the Pittsburgh Pirates. For a night anyway, Jeff Locke gave them something to lean on heading into a long offseason.

The 24-year-old lefthander allowed just two hits over six innings to pick up his first major league win as the Pirates dropped the Braves 2-1 to end Atlanta’s shot at winning the National League East.

The Braves, at least, are still heading to the playoffs as a wild card. Those prospects are long gone for Pittsburgh, which saw its best season in 20 years unfold during a 7-21 September.

Locke has been along for the ride. He came in winless in his big league career and — even worse — the Pirates hadn’t won a game in which he appeared in any capacity this season.

That ended on a night when he kept surging Atlanta at bay, striking out six and walking five.

“All in all it feels good to get it out of the way so that people don’t talk about it anymore so that if you lose 150 more, then I’ll still have the win,” Locke said with a laugh.

Starling Marte hit his sixth home run of the season and scored twice for Pittsburgh while Jared Hughes worked the ninth for his second save.

“It just feels good to win, after everything this team has been through this year, especially this last little while,” Locke said.

Paul Maholm (13-11) gave up two runs in seven innings while losing to his former team for the first time, striking out eight and walking three.

Locke has spent the last month auditioning for a spot in Pittsburgh’s rotation next spring, his frustrating results coinciding with the team’s freefall through the standings.

Needing to put something together to prove he can compete for a spot in the rotation next spring, Locke settled in quickly. Atlanta’s only run came on Jason Heyward’s RBI single in the third but the Braves left the bases loaded when Freddie Freeman grounded out to end the inning.

“I think there was a couple things out there tonight that really helped his growth,” said Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle.