Pirates starter Charlie Morton allowed nine hits, six runs (five earned) and two walks in five-plus innings in a 9-6 loss to the Cubs on Thursday. He struck out five.
Morton broke his string of three consecutive quality starts and also surrendered a homer for the second straight outing after a stretch in which he'd prevented a long ball in seven of eight trips to the mound.
The veteran right-hander wasn't missing many bats Thursday, as evidenced by the paltry four swings-and-misses he induced over 76 pitches.
Morton has now dropped four out of his last five decisions despite not pitching poorly in each instance. It remains to be seen how he will fit into the team's postseason plans.