Morton Avoids Damage But Pirates Lose To Phillies, 4-1
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton made his first start of the spring Monday, pitching two scoreless innings in a 4-1 loss to Philadelphia.
Morton is one start behind the rest of the pitching staff. He is recovering from off-season hip surgery.
The Phillies (5-5-1) managed to record four hits with Morton on the mound, but the Pirates (3-7) were able to avoid damage and got out of the first and second innings without allowing a run.
"I got it out of the way," Morton said, according to the team's official website. "It was a different experience. But it's been a weird camp, without having been in games. The intensity naturally goes up in front of fans, and facing hitters. Now I can go from strengthening to competing. Hopefully they'll let me go three (innings) next time, then four."
Hector Luna hit a solo home run off Pirates reliever Chris Resop for a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Jimmy Rollins hit a solo shot off Tony Watson in the fifth inning for a 2-0 Phillies lead.
Gorkys Hernandez hit an infield single, stole second base and advanced to third on an infield grounder. He scored on an error for the Pirates only run of the game.
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