Brewers 0 - 2 Pirates
Final
  for this game

Morton pitches Pirates past Brewers

Jun 11, 2015 - 4:43 AM Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Charlie Morton tossed 7 1/3 innings of scoreless ball and the Pittsburgh Pirates avoided a series sweep with a 2-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Morton missed the early portion of the season with a hip injury, but has been terrific in his return to the rotation. He has earned wins in all four starts and has gone tossed at least seven innings of two-run ball or better in three of four.

Morton (4-0) yielded three hits and three walks with a season-high six strikeouts.

"I just feel like I did a good job," Morton said. "I limited their offense and minimized damage."

Pittsburgh did its work at the plate early on. Gregory Polanco led off the bottom of the first inning with a double, then took third on a wild pitch and scored on Starling Marte's infield single.

Pedro Alvarez led off the second with a no-doubter home run into the seats in right.

Kyle Lohse (3-7) allowed 10 hits over 6 1/3 innings to absorb the loss, though he settled down after those early innings and kept the Brewers in the game.

"I think he got better as the game went along," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said of his starter. "He got through it, and he gave us a chance."

Morton was just too strong, allowing multiple baserunners in an inning only twice. It happened in the fifth inning, when Aramis Ramirez and Shane Peterson singled to put runners on the corners before Lohse grounded out to end the frame.

With his pitch count in check following 1-2-3 innings in the sixth and seventh, Morton returned to the hill for the eighth and struck out Hector Gomez. But Peterson drew a walk and Jason Rogers slapped a single to left, ending Morton's stint.

Lefty Tony Watson came on and induced a double-play grounder from Jean Segura, securing Morton's shutout.

Mark Melancon got through the ninth in seven pitches to nail down his 19th save.

Game Notes

Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun left the game in the sixth inning with dizziness ... Jordy Mercer and Jung-ho Kang had three hits apiece for Pittsburgh, which outhit Milwaukee 11-3.






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