It was an all-around ugly game for the Buccos as they failed to get the sweep against the Giants on Thursday night by the score of 10 – 0.
Charlie Morton, making his first start since May 29, 2010, didn’t get off to the start he wanted as he allowed the first three batters to reach, ending in a Buster Posey RBI single. He would, although, get a groundout and two strikeouts to minimize the bleeding to 1 – 0.
He would allow another run in the second when Nick Noonan beat out a double play, advanced to second on a groundout and scored on a Gregor Blanco single. From there, Morton would settle down before getting into some unlucky trouble in the fifth. With one out, Morton would hit Brandon Crawford.
Crawford would then advance to third on a Posey ground rule double. Hunter Pence would then ground into what seemed to be a rundown at home, but Crawford would score by way of a sketchy interference call. The Giants would get a second unearned run in the inning to extend the lead to 4 – 0 and end Morton’s night after five.
The flood gates would open against Mike Zagurski in the sixth when the Giants scored five times, highlighted by a Pence three run bomb into the Pirates bullpen to make it 9 – 0. Posey and Blanco would also add RBI’s in the inning.
The Pirates, on the other hand, had little offensive success as they tallied two hits against Matt Cain, who was pretty much dominant in 6 2/3 innings. They did, however, show a bit of life in the seventh as they loaded the bases with two out. Michael McKenry would then come up and strikeout to end that and any hopes of a slim, Pirates comeback. The Giants would add another insurance run in the ninth to end the scoring. Final Score: Giants 10, Pirates 0.
Worth Noting:
— A.J. Burnett was placed on the 15-day DL (Retroactive to 6/9) with a right calf strain. He will be eligible to come off on 6/24. Morton takes Burnett’s spot on the 25-man roster.
— To make room for Morton on the 40-man roster, the Pirates released Jose Contreras.
Starters Lines:
Morton (L, 0 – 1): 5 IN, 4 R, 2 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 5 K’s, 3 HP. 86 Pitches (54 Strikes)
Cain (W, 5 – 3): 6 2/3 IN, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s, 1 HP. 101 Pitches (62 Strikes)
The Pirates are back in action at home tomorrow night against the Dodgers at 7:05.
Tomorrow’s Starters:
(LHP) Jeff Locke (PIT) 5 – 1, 2.39 ERA
(RHP) Stephen Fife (LAD) 1 – 1, 3.78 ERA
(Photo Credit: Ross D. Franklin / AP Photo)
