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Morton tries to stay unbeaten vs. Pale Hose

Jun 16, 2015 - 2:37 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Charlie Morton and the Pittsburgh Pirates look to stay hot on Tuesday night when they resume a four-game interleague series with the visiting Chicago White Sox at PNC Park.

The first two tests of this set are in the Steel City and the next two will be played at U.S. Cellular Field.

Pittsburgh (36-27) has reeled off five straight wins to remain six games back of the National League Central Division-leading St. Louis Cardinals, winners of four in a row.

Morton has won each of his four starts since recovering from offseason hip surgery. Along with his 4-0 record, the right-hander boasts a 2.05 ERA and has allowed only eight fly balls in 26 1/3 innings this season. On Wednesday, he pitched 7 1/3 scoreless frames and held the Milwaukee Brewers to just three hits.

"I think early in games that I am thinking about things a little bit because I want to make sure I get in a groove mechanically," Morton said. "I want to get things straight. As the game goes on, you just get more competitive and that takes over."

Perhaps that competition stems from the fact that seven of Pittsburgh's last eight starters have allowed one run or fewer over six-plus innings.

Francisco Liriano continued that stretch in Monday's 11-0 rout of the White Sox, as he yielded only two hits while striking out 12 across eight shutout innings.

"Guys have different skill sets, different pitches," manager Clint Hurdle said. "More often than not we're pounding the zone. We're throwing strikes. We're changing speeds. We're moving things around, going to different locations. Their command and pace on the mound has played a big role."

The Pirates offense finally broke out at the plate in Monday's opener after totaling just nine runs over their previous six games, including two extra- innings affairs. Nos. 1 and 2 hitters Josh Harrison and Starling Marte each collected four hits, while seven different Pirates had multi-hit games.

Meanwhile, the White Sox totaled only two hits compared to Pittsburgh's 18 on Monday night, and they also committed three errors in the field. Starter Carlos Rodon spotted Chicago five runs before recording an out in the first inning, and he lasted only 3 2/3 innings after giving up seven runs.

"(The Pirates are) a good hitting club, and it's the big leagues," Rodon said. "Anyone can hit."

Jose Quintana will try to pick up Rodon on Tuesday. The left-hander is coming off his first win since May 13, as he twirled seven innings of one-run ball against Houston last week. Quintana has lasted seven innings in half of his 12 starts this season, and he has allowed two runs or less in eight starts.

On Wednesday, the home-and-home series will shift to Chicago.