Charlie Morton came into Thursday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants having not lost a game since July 22, and after a 4-0 victory, that streak continued.
“I think we’re watching Charlie develop into more of a complete pitcher with a sinker ball rather than a single ball pitcher,” manager Clint Hurdle said.
The Pirates are now a season-high 25 games over .500.
Morton [8-4] used his off-speed pitches to overwhelm the Giants offense. Unlike previous games, this start was not so much about the groundball, though he did have seven in this game, but rather the strikeout, of which he had eight in 6.2 innings of work. He also retired 13 hitters on three pitches or less.
“I have a good curveball, it’s been effective,” said Morton. “It’s been a go to for me, especially against lefties. That and inside fastball. I do go inside a lot for strikes and it makes the job a lot easier.”
Left-handed batters entered the contest batting .292 against Morton, however, they went just 1-for-10 against him on Thursday.
The Pirates struck first when Starling Marte was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on an Andrew McCutchen flyout. Aramis Ramirez then hit a book-rule double which just landed in fair territory, scoring Marte. Ramirez entered play hitting .340 in his last 13 games.
The first inning was a tough one for Jake Peavy [3-6], as he threw 25 pitches.
An additional Pirates run was scored in the third. Gregory Polanco reached base to lead off the inning however was erased from the basepaths by a ranging Brandon Crawford who shoveled the ball over to Kelby Tomlinson at second base to get an out on the play.
Three batters later, following a Ramirez walk, Jung Ho Kang doubled in Marte. Kang entered the contest batting .318 since the All-Star Break.
The scoring concluded in the sixth inning. Kang led off with a single on a 1-1 pitch. Neil Walker then worked a full-count before hitting a home run, his 13th of the season. The homer also marked the 800th hit of his career and 41st extra-base hit of the season.
Morton got into a jam in the seventh inning, hitting Crawford with a pitch, allowing a single to Tomlinson and hitting pinch-hitter Ehire Adrianza with a pitch. Manager Clint Hurdle decided that he had seen enough and lifted Morton for Jared Hughes.
“It’s a good feeling to do my job but to go out in the seventh and get into a sticky situation that’s not good,” Morton said. “The end leaves a bad taste in my mouth but I feel like I did pretty well, I just wished I had closed the door.”
Hughes worked a 2-2 count on Gregor Blanco and got him to line out to Polanco to end the inning. Hughes also pitched the eighth and threw a one-hit scoreless inning.
Tony Watson pitched a scoreless ninth.
The Pirates outhit the Giants 9-6 have now secured a season series win emerging victorious in the first four games of the seven-game season series between the clubs.
Marte reached base in all four of his at-bats. He now has a five-game hitting streak and hitting .391 during that stretch.
“I’m just ready to hit in every at-bat and every count,” said Marte. “I just try to get on-base and try to steal a base too. I’m working hard every day to put myself in very good position for the guy hitting.”
Marte has had his share of ups and downs this season. This month alone he was hitting .212 prior to the hitting streak. Marte discussed what he does when he is having a tough time at the plate to improve.
“I’m just working with my hitting coach and sometimes you don’t have hits because you do something wrong,” Marte said. “My coach he told me to see what you did yesterday and try to find something you did before that. That’s what we do, working with Branson and follow the ball and hit.”
This series continues Friday when Jeff Locke [6-7 4.31 ERA] takes on Madison Bumgarner [14-6 2.98 ERA]. Locke is 0-0 with an 8.68 ERA in two career starts against the Giants.
Photo credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
