Sunday afternoon’s game against the Washington Nationals [36-33] would end up a game to forget for pitcher Charlie Morton and the rest of the Pittsburgh Pirates [39-29]. Coming into the final game of this three-game series, Morton sported a 1.62 ERA and five wins in six starts. He would end up lasting only two thirds of an inning and gave up nine runs in a 9-2 loss.
The Nationals took advantage of an erratic Morton, who was leaving balls on a tee for hitters. He gave up two home runs, a two-run home run by right fielder Bryce Harper and three-run home run by third basemen Yunel Escobar.
Morton looked inaccurate and just flat out missed his marks for the entirety of his brief outing. His ERA inflated to 3.97 and he picked up his first loss since his return to the rotation.
Morton also gve up four other runs by way of the base paths and was eventually relieved by Vance Worley [2-4, 3.86 ERA].
Worley, who has seen more action out of the bullpen lately, pitched four and a third innings, giving up no runs on two hits and struck out five batters.
Gio Gonzalez was able to contain the Pirates’ offense and picked up his fifth win of the season, allowing only four hits in seven innings. Gonzalez also played a part in the early scoring, as he was able to pick up an RBI and doubled to second on a misplayed ball by right fielder Jose Tabata.
Pittsburgh’s offense continued to struggle, only managing five hits and no runs a day after they were no-hit by Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer.
Left fielder Starling Marte has struggled over the last three games, going hitless once again, and finished the series 0-11.
In cleanup duty, the Pirates sent in relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo [2-1, 4.32 ERA] who went two innings scoreless and struck out two Nationals.
In the eighth inning, pitcher Arquimedes Caminero [0-1, 2.97 ERA] came in for relief and allowed two hits but no runs for his sixth straight scoreless outing.
Felipe Rivero [0-0, 2.25 ERA] came in to pitch in the ninth inning, giving up a two-run home run by first baseman Corey Hart to finally get the Pirates on the board.
The loss marks the third in a row by the Pirates who are to be struggling on all sides of the ball. Coming into the series, the Pirates had won eight in a row and seemed to be playing great baseball.
The Pirates will come back home after a day off tomorrow and play the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. The expected starters are Jeff Locke [4-3, 4.74] and Johnny Cueto [4-4, 2.98]
Photo credit: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
