It was a gamble to put Charlie Morton back into the starting rotation given the right hander has been dealing with a sports hernia since June. Morton made manager Clint Hurdle look smart by going five shut out innings to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Boston Red Sox. Five relievers combined to shut down the Red Sox to keep the Pirates in the second Wild Card spot.
Morton has not been healthy since early June and one rehab start and a couple of simulated games did not result in improvement. Regardless, Hurdle sent him out there against a team that does not fair well against breaking balls. Morton's curveball was a weapon early. The only ball hit hard in the first three innings was a sinker that stayed up at belt level to Daniel Nava.
Morton would strike out six and give up four hits over five innings. He walked two and had his pitch count ran up through long at bats. Mike Napoli had a 12 pitch at bat in the second inning. Morton was pulled after 92 pitches. The five relievers gave up two total hits and the Red Sox only had a runner on third base twice all night.
The Pirates' offense came mostly by the way of the long ball. Russell Martin hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the second. Starling Marte hit a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth. It was his 12th home run of the year to help bring the Pirates to 80 wins.
This was the first shut out at home for the Pirates since June 12. The Pirates are now 10 games over .500, which is their best mark of the year. The two teams will meet again tomorrow at PNC Park.