Pirates starter Charlie Morton went from cruising to struggling to leaving Saturday against visiting Atlanta. But a stellar performance from the bullpen made certain he emerged with his sixth win in seven decisions.
Morton had retired 11 in a row entering the seventh inning with a 6-1 lead. But he allowed two singles, a hit-by-pitch and three-run double to Jace Peterson that proved the knockout blow before departing. He finished having given up 10 hits with no walks and six strikeouts.
He has surrendered just 10 runs in 39 1/3 innings this season aside from his disastrous last start in which he couldn't get out of the first.