Walker, Morton Lead Pirates Past Cards 4-3

Pittsburgh Pirates Charlie Morton got his first taste of redemption pie.  Morton

allowed just three hits, none hit very hard, and struckout two.  Morton did issue five walks against the potent, but suddenly soft Cardinals lineup.   Unlike last season, he pitched his way out of jams with Cardinals on the base paths.

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A nice hit and run led to the Cardinals first run.  For the longest time, the Cardinals couldn’t get a ball in the air against Morton’s dominant sinker.

Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse was effective in pitching the Pirates away, away, away and relied heavily on his change up.  Neil Walker had three hits including finally going with the pitch and blasting a double into the left field corner driving in two Buccos and putting the Bucs on the board.  Walker raised his average to .412 on the season.

It must be the new deal with Under Armour.

With Waker dancing on second, Andrew McCutchen took advantage of a Lohse pitch up in the zone for his second homer of the season putting the Bucs up 4-1.

Jose Veras worked an inning and allowed one hit.  He didn’t walk a batter and continues to make Neal Huntington look like a genius.

Michael Crotta was able to get the first to outs of the eighth after Evan Meek struggled again.

No worries.  Clint Hurdle went to Joel Hanrahan in the eighth.  The Hanranator got the final out in the eighth and looked strong in the ninth for his third save in three opportunites.

Meek allowed two hits, a walk,  and was charged with two runs.  Ronny Cedeno bobbling another certain double play ball jacked up the eighth and would extend the inning allowing the Cards to cut the lead from 4-1 to 4-3.

Hurdle wasn’t worried.  He went to his closer, old school style, and Hanrahan took care of the rest.

Post-game Quotes:

Hanrahan answered Lacee Collins question about what he felt in the eighth:  Let’s get outta this

Hurdle:  I think Ray has helped (Charlie) a lot.

Hurdle:  Morton’s actions are speaking much louder than his words.

Hurdle on Neil Walker:  Consistency is a good word, sometimes hot….  He is hot right now.

Hurdle on McCutchen:  He saw 12 balls right at his knees all night and the first ball he sees elevated he covers and rides right out of the ballpark.

Morton:  It felt a lot more natural to pitch.

Morton on ten pitch at-bat by Molina:  I made some decent pitches…staying agressive and not falling behind when you do that you put more pressure on pitcher.  He had a good at-bat.

Morton on sawing off Pujols:   I think it just had good late movement.  I don’t think it was me pounding him in, it was where he saw the ball wasnt where it ended up and he didn’t get barrel on it.  I am pitching more to contact.   I know it sounds weird, I walked five guys.  I wanted to throw a good sinker and have him hit it.  He did.  And we got out of it.

Pitches for Morton: 97 

Strikes for Morton: 57

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