Morton Pitches 9 Innings In Pirates' 6-1 Win Over Reds
CINCINNATI (KDKA/AP) -- Perhaps the Pirates just needed a change of scenery.
Coming off a 1-5 homestand, Charlie Morton pitched the second complete game of his career to beat the Cincinnati Reds, 6-1 on Friday night.
Morton (2-0, 1.64 ERA) allowed just five hits, one run and struck out three in the game.
Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle shuffled the batting lineup and it paid off as the Buccos' offense came alive at Great American Ballpark. Garrett Jones hit a homer into right field in the top of the second.
Then, Chris Snyder hit an RBI single, driving in Lyle Overbay, to make it 2-0 in the top of the third. Overbay then batted in Jose Tabata in the fourth with a fly ball to left field.
Neil Walker added a two-run homer in the same inning, allowing the Bucs to build a 5-0 lead.
Chris Snyder's line drive single sent Walker home in the top of the ninth to make it 6-0.
Morton lost his shutout when Jay Bruce homered with two outs in the ninth. His only other complete game was a shutout against the Cubs on Sept. 30, 2009.
The Pirates and Reds play the second game of the series at 1:10 p.m. Saturday.
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