Morton Contains Phillies, Overbay Leads Pirates To 6-3 Victory

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

After a thrilling extra-inning victory last night, the Pittsburgh Pirates looked to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies for the second straight game this evening at PNC Park.  Charlie Morton took the hill for the Buccos, while the Phillies countered with spot-starter Kyle Kendrick.

While both pitchers performed well this evening, it was Morton who got the better of the results, as the Pirates outscored the Phillies down the stretch, taking the second game of the series by a final score of 6-3.

Morton certainly did have his best game of the season tonight, but he did enough to keep the Pirates in the game in the latter innings.  He gave up two runs on six hits through seven innings, while walking two and striking out five Phillies.  His ERA sits at 2.52.

FFTS Pregame:

The Phillies jumped on the board first in the opening frame as Ryan Howard’s fielder’s choice ground out allowed Jimmy Rollins to score from third base. 

The Buccos answered in the bottom of the first with two runs of their own.  Andrew McCutchen’s RBI single scored Jose Tabata to tie the game.  McCutchen later scored on Lyle Overbay’s double to deep right, giving the Pirates an early 2-1 advantage.

After Philadelphia tied the game in the fourth inning, the Pirates countered with a pair in the bottom half of the frame.  Chris Snyder scored Overbay on a ground out to tie the game.  Brandon Wood then gave the Bucs the one-run lead on an unlikely homerun to deep left field.

The Buccos added to the lead with a run in the seventh and eighth innings, and occupied a rather comfortable 6-2 advantage heading into the ninth inning.  Joel Hanrahan, despite giving up a run and allowing the bases loaded, was able to get Chase Utley to fly out to left field to end the game to a raucous combination of cheers from Pirates’ fans and boos from Phillies’ fans.

FFTS Postgame:

The Pirates again found a way to win tonight.  Morton didn’t have his best stuff, and, at times, struggled to throw strikes consistently.  But the Buccos’ right hander battled his way through to earn his sixth victory of the season.

Andrew McCutchen continues to swing a hot bat.  With three more hits and two more RBI this evening, Cutch is looking like the all-star caliber player we all expected him to be at the start of the season.  Lyle Overbay also had three hits for the Buccos, and was just a homerun short of hitting for the cycle. 

The Pirates will look for the three-game sweep of the Phillies tomorrow afternoon at PNC Park.  James McDonald will start for Pittsburgh against Philadelphia’s ace Roy Halladay.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:35pm.

Record Vs. Phillies: 2-0

Record Vs. N.L. East: 6-9

Record At Home: 11-14

Overall Record: 28-29

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!