Morton Gives Up Six Runs, Marlins Blank Bucs Again

By Zane Heiple

Photo Credit: AP

Someone on the Pirates’ equipment staff may want to go back to the airport and check the lost and found for the Buccos’ offense.  For the second night in a row, the Marlins’ pitching staff blanked Pittsburgh on their way to a 6-0 win. 

Pirates’ fans had reason for hope tonight with Charlie Morton taking the bump tonight.  Unfortunately, a rough night for him and lack of offense gave the Buccos no chance at victory tonight.  Morton went five innings, allowing six runs on ten hits and three walks, while striking out six. 

Even if Morton would have only given up one run, it would have been enough since the offense failed to score.  The Pirates’ bats only mustered five hits in thirty plate appearances.

Florida scored four runs in the second inning.  All of these runs came with two outs.  Singles by John Buck and Emilio Bonifacio, along with a walk to Ricky Nolasco, loaded the bases.  Chris Coghlan brought two runs home with a single.  Omar Infante singled to center to make it 3-0.  Hanley Ramirez finished the scoring for the inning with a single to right field. 

In the third, Bonifacio singled home Greg Dobbs.  Coghlan collected his third RBI of the night two batters later with a single to Garrett Jones.

The only bright side for Pittsburgh, for the second night in a row, was their bullpen.  Chris Resop and Evan Meek combined to pitch three scoreless innings.  Resop struck out three batters and Meek gave up only one hit.

The Pirates will look to avoid the sweep tomorrow with James McDonald taking the ball, who is looking to regain his form from the latter part of the 2010 season.  First pitch is scheduled to be at 7:10pm.

Andrew McCutchen was out of the lineup tonight to deal with family matters.  It is unknown if he will rejoin the team before tomorrow’s first pitch.

Record Vs. Marlins: 0-2

Record Vs. N.L. East: 0-2

Record On The Road: 7-5

Overall Record: 8-10

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!